Special thanks to Okazakisan who pointed out a few minor errors!
This story has now over 300,000 views! Thank you for your support and following me on this long journey, everyone! Don't worry; the adventure is far from over and we have the sequels in the future too. Let's continue the journey together!
Disclaimer: I do not own any Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's characters! I only own my OCs!
Chapter 98: Visitors from the North
A couple of days had passed since the incident with Moment Express. I was still a little flabbergasted by the fact that Sherry was now a Signer. In addition of her Mark, the Crimson Dragon had given her some new cards that got included in her Deck, but she hadn't received her Signer Dragon yet. I had a feeling her Signer Dragon could be one of the Duel Dragons from the manga. Heck, Ish had one of those dragons, so the possibility was high.
However, which Duel Dragon would suit Sherry's Deck the most? The remaining Duel Dragons were Beelze of the Diabolic Dragons, Void Ogre Dragon, and Dragocytos Corrupted Nethersoul Dragon. Nethersoul Dragon was out of question because it needed non-Tuner dragon Monster as Synchro Material and Sherry didn't have any dragons in her Deck. Void Ogre Dragon suit Kalin's Deck more due to its effect with zero cards in the player's hand. That left with Beelze of the Diabolic Dragons, but was that dragon even alive? The reincarnated King of the Netherworld had used her in the Halloween Duel and I had no idea where Beelze could be right now. It was confirmed she had been created by the slight darkness of the Crimson Dragon, so it technically made her a Signer Dragon.
Or! It could be an entirely different dragon that I wouldn't even imagine being a Signer Dragon.
I guess only time could tell when it was time for Sherry's Signer Dragon to make its first appearance.
XXXXXXXXXX
The city had been rebuilt after the Diablo catastrophe, so everyone had returned to their daily routines. The World Racing Grand Prix was going to continue with the quarterfinals in a week, giving the eight remaining teams time to prepare themselves for their most intense Turbo Duels in the tournament. That included our two teams; Team 5D's and Team Royal Knights.
Right now, I had been called to Goodwin's office in Sector Security after breakfast because he had something important to tell me. It wasn't a mission, so I went there in my casual attire.
"An Exhibition Duel?" I repeated after hearing what my adoptive father had just said.
"Yes", Goodwin nodded as his hands were weaved together and rested on the desk. "Team Ragnarok has requested an opportunity to warm themselves up after this long break of the World Racing Grand Prix. They've asked for the other teams to participate, so they can choose who they wish to Duel."
"I see…", I replied. "Are there going to be Ground Duels or Turbo Duels?"
"For a chance of pace, there will be Ground Duels. Can you pass this message to Team 5D's and Team Royal Knights?"
"Of course. When will the Exhibition Duel start?"
"By 3 p.m. today."
"Got it."
XXXXXXXXXX
I visited Aki first, since the Izayoi mansion was closest to Sector Security. To my luck, Sherry and Mizoguchi were there too to finish working on the new personalized riding suits for the finals. After telling them about the Exhibition Duel, the trio decided to participate. Sherry also said she and Setsuko were almost done with the riding suits, so it wouldn't hurt to take a break from them.
We rode our Duel Runners to the Fountain Plaza to see the others and tell them about the Exhibition Duel. We parked outside of Zora's clock shop and walked to the twin doors that were half open. I pushed them open and stepped inside with the others behind me.
The only ones that were present in the garage were Jack, Carly, Crow, and Luna. "Hi, guys!" I called.
"Hey, people!" Crow greeted in return.
"What's with this noisy caravan?" Jack asked in his usual irritable voice while holding a cup of coffee.
"Good day to you too, Jack", Aki retorted sarcastically.
"Is everybody here? I have some important news to share with you guys", I explained as we gathered in the middle of the garage.
"Yusei and Bruno are out with Leo", Luna replied. "Leo said something about fixing Team Taiyo's Duel Runner."
"Team Taiyo… They're one of the eight qualifying teams and our rivals in the finals", Sherry said.
"Correct, Milady", Mizoguchi nodded.
"That's quite unfortunate", I said a little sadly.
"What do you mean?" Carly asked.
"Well… Director Goodwin asked me to pass a message to Team 5D's and Team Royal Knights", I replied.
"A message?" Jack asked.
"Yes", I nodded. "There's going to be an Exhibition Duel today by 3 p.m. and all eight teams in the Grand Prix are welcome to join."
"An Exhibition Duel?" Luna repeated.
"It was a request by Team Ragnarok", I explained. "They want to warm themselves up after this long break and add excitement to the quarterfinals. This event will also be open to the public, but the eight teams are VIPs."
"Team Ragnarok… They're from Scandinavia, just like you, right?" Crow asked me.
"Yes", I replied. "Harald and Brave are Swedes and Dragan is Norwegian. I did a little bit of research of the other teams after the Moment Express incident."
"I did too!" Carly raised her hand up in the air before she adjusted her glasses. "Team Ragnarok is one of the world's professional Turbo Duel teams. Harald Nordh, Dragan Möller, and Brave Alfvén hold the power of the Three Lords of Aesir cards; Odin, Thor, and Loki. The Gods are said to have mysterious powers and they are one of the world's strongest cards. Team Ragnarok dominated the preliminaries with overwhelming power, and their popularity and skills have made them Duel Kings."
"Kings?!" Jack exclaimed angrily. "No one will take my title! I will become the world's only King of Games!"
"Of course Jack gets triggered by the K-word…", Crow mumbled quietly.
"I've watched footage of their Duels to analyze their strategies, but it's a different experience watching them in real life", Sherry spoke up. "I think it's worth checking them out, so Mizoguchi and I will go."
Mizoguchi nodded silently in response.
"I'm curious about them too", Aki said. "I'll call Mei and Sakura to see if they want to come along. After all, they're part of our team."
"I don't mind that", Sherry shook her head.
Crow turned to Jack with a knowing expression. "Want to go?" he asked.
"I guess. I'll go with you", Jack responded.
"Me too!" Carly exclaimed. "I want a chance to interview them!"
"I have nothing else to do, so I'll go too", Luna said.
"Then we have a team date", I smiled.
XXXXXXXXXX
A couple of hours later, we went to the tower where the World Racing Grand Prix Premium Event Party took place more than a month ago. It had been reconstructed after the invasion, so there was a large gallery where people could sit and watch the upcoming Turbo Duels, since the final Duels were going to take place out on the Duel Lanes across the city.
The staff had prepared a Duel Field for the Exhibition Duel indoors. The place was already crowded with people, but thanks to the special team passes we received when we formed our teams, we were able to get to the VIP spots without getting bombarded by fans. Sakura and Mei had accepted the invitation, so they were with us. The only team that was absent was Team Taiyo, including Bruno, Yusei, and Leo. We stood behind the barricades of the red carpet that had been rolled out for Team Ragnarok. The media were standing by the front to get their best shots of the team.
The entire tower turned dark, which indicated the event was about to begin. One spotlight was switched on and revealed the Master of Ceremonies on a balcony. "Here they come! The favorites to win the WRGP final tournament! The Duelists who came from the land of gods! Team Ragnarok!"
The crowd started cheering when a white limousine drove inside the building and parked by the red carpet. An attendant stepped out from the front of the limousine and opened one of the doors. The girls shrieked in joy as Harald, Dragan, and Brave got out and walked down the carpet. To my surprise, two more people stepped out of the limousine and followed the trio. I adjusted my glasses to make sure I wasn't seeing things. The two men, who appeared to be in their early forties, looked similar to Yuki Judai and Johan Anderson from "Yu-Gi-Oh! GX".
"Team Ragnarok are the mightiest Duelists in the world and use the three god-powered Aesir; Odin, Thor, and Loki. There are many legends about this professional Turbo Duel team!" the MC continued. "They are accompanied by their mentor, Johan Anderson, and his husband, Judai Anderson!"
So the rumors of Judai and Johan being married were true! I hadn't seen Judai since the Bonds Beyond Time incident, so it was a stunning surprise to see him and Johan as adults.
SpiritShipping; confirmed.
However, it was new to me that Johan was Team Ragnarok's mentor. That never happened in the original anime. I couldn't help but wonder how Johan met the three Duelists. Did he have any connections to the Aesir?
"So that's Team Ragnarok", Crow said.
"They have incredible presence", Aki commented. "It's like they're really from the land of god."
"The Nordic mythology has many legends", I replied. "I haven't read all of them, but I know a few."
"The power of god? They're bluffing", Jack snorted.
"Don't underestimate the opponents, Jack", Sherry told him. "There's always more to them than meets the eye."
Mizoguchi nodded silently, agreeing with the French blonde.
"Sherry's right", Mei nodded. "You shouldn't look down on your opponents until they give you an actual reason to."
Sakura suddenly rubbed her arms as if she was feeling cold. "Their presence…", she said in a surprised voice. "I thought I felt a chill in the air just now."
Carly was busy taking pictures of the team and the married couple as they got closer to the end of the carpet where the Duel Field was waiting for them when she stopped all of the sudden and visibly shivered. "You felt that too?" the reporter asked. "Could it be…the power of the Aesir?"
"You must be imagining it, girls", Crow commented. "However, I admit their presence is quite intense…especially Brave's." His voice suddenly became quiet. "He's hot…"
I didn't catch the last part due to the loud noise around us. "Did you say something, Crow?" I asked.
"Nothing!" Crow replied quickly with a hint of red on his cheeks.
The group soon walked past us when I made eye contact with Harald for a brief second. He looked like he was analyzing me. The contact broke when the team continued walking to the field. Johan and Judai were right behind them, but Judai turned to me and gave me his signature grin before following his husband.
"Did Judai…just grin at you, Estelle?" Carly asked.
"I think he recognized me from that time…", I mumbled softly.
Crow, Jack, and Aki looked at each other knowingly, realizing I was referring to the past event. I noticed Luna had been silent the entire time. I looked at her and saw she was staring holes on Judai and Johan's backs. "Luna? Are you okay?" I asked.
Luna snapped out of it and looked up at me. "Y-Yes, I'm okay. It's just…" She turned her eyes back at the married couple. "I can see three Duel Spirits with Judai and Johan."
"Duel Spirits?" Mei asked.
"Luna has the power of seeing the spirits of Duel Monsters", Aki explained.
"That's so cool!" Sakura said excitedly.
I looked at Judai and Johan as I allowed some of my powers to be activated. Sure enough, I soon saw the spirits of Winged Kuriboh, Yubel, and Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle. Winged Kuriboh was flying behind Judai's head left to right while chirping happily. Yubel was walking normally on Judai's other side acting like a bodyguard. Crystal Beast Ruby rested on Johan's shoulders while paying no attention at the public.
I just realized the spirit of Professor Banner wasn't with them or the cat Pharaoh. Did this mean… No. I didn't want to think about the sad reality. But if it really was the truth, then I hoped Professor Banner's spirit was still alive in the Spirit World, maybe reborn as a Duel Monster.
Team Ragnarok walked onto the field and stood in a row with the married couple standing behind them. Another spotlight shone upon them as the crowd had finally calmed down.
"Let's begin the Exhibition Duel!" the MC declared. "Dragan Möller, the man who has the skills on an angry god, will choose the opponent!"
The whole place got silent as they waited for Dragan to choose the lucky Duelist. The man himself confidently raised his arm and didn't hesitate to pick out his opponent. It was none other than…
"You're my opponent! Jack Atlas!" Dragan shouted.
The crowd started cheering again after Jack got chosen by the Team Ragnarok member. "Whoa! Dragan chose the former King Jack Atlas!" the MC exclaimed. "God versus King! This is going to be an exciting Duel!"
"Fine! I'll be your opponent!" Jack responded.
XXXXXXXXXX
The Exhibition Duel had to be canceled after Jack and Dragan's Duel got out of hand. Jack had Red Dragon Archfiend on the field when Dragan Synchro summoned Thor, Lord of the Aesir. The energy from the Signer Dragon and the Aesir were resonating and caused a massive disturbance. The building got some severe cracks and was about to collapse when Goodwin demanded to stop the Duel. Thanks to that, everyone was safe, but the damage had already been done. The audience got scared and hurried outside to evacuate the building. Some screamed that Red Dragon Archfiend and Thor were cursed and weren't meant to battle each other.
It took some time to calm the crowd down before they were escorted out safely from the building, including the Dueling teams. Jack was weirdly quiet after the Duel got canceled, which wasn't like him. Usually, he complained about the Duel going in the wrong direction. Perhaps he got affected by the Aesir like the rest of us?
Not much was said afterward, but we kept in mind that the Signer Dragons and the Aesir could possibly cause disturbances in the future Turbo Duels against Team Ragnarok.
XXXXXXXXXX
It felt like déjà vu because the very next day, I received a note from Goodwin after we finished eating breakfast. He said it was a note from Judai who claimed he recognized me from the crowd and wanted to treat me and Yusei for lunch, plus Yugi. The four of us made plans for the next day and met Judai in Hotel White Diamond where Goodwin had his fiftieth birthday. We had lunch and even Dueled Judai. Yugi didn't have a Deck anymore, so Yusei and I took turns Dueling the GX protagonist on a holographic game mat instead of using our Duel Disks.
How did the Duels end? Both Yusei and I got our butts kicked by Judai's HERO Monsters. Lesson learned: never underestimate the HEROes!
XXXXXXXXXX
Three days before the quarterfinals, Goodwin announced the first matchups. Team Royal Knights was in Block A and was going up against Team Black Baron from the United Kingdom. Team New World was also in Block A, but the opponent was Team The Arms from the United States. That meant Team 5D's was in Block B and our opponent was Team Taiyo. Team Ragnarok was up against the Egyptian team; Team Fortune Ark.
I was now in the pit crew since Crow's shoulder had healed up. He, Yusei, and Jack made a promise to Turbo Duel together, so it was only fair they did so in the finals of the Grand Prix. That meant I could finally wear the pit crew outfit. It consisted of a yellow t-shirt with a white horizontal stripe, red and black Team 5D's jacket, black shorts, long black socks, and red trainers. I made sure to tie my hair up so it wouldn't get in the way. I also didn't wear the necklace I got from Yusei because I didn't want to lose it in the middle of chaos.
To summarize first day of the finals, our Turbo Duel against Team Taiyo played out in the exact same way as in the anime. Team Taiyo's trump card, Zushin the Sleeping Giant, almost brought them home to victory, but Yusei turned it around with the help of Shooting Star Dragon. Everyone now called this Duel the Miracle Duel because of the Zushin's first summoning in the Duel Monsters history.
Sherry's team won their Turbo Duel, but so did Team New World and Team Ragnarok. That meant the next matchups were Team New World versus Team Royal Knights and Team Ragnarok versus Team 5D's. The semifinals were going to take place after one day of break so the teams could plan their strategies against their opponents.
However, something unexpected happened that literally put me on the line.
XXXXXXXXXX
I was relaxing at home and Dueled with myself by imagining I was challenging the Three Emperors of Iliaster. I tried remembering their cards and effects, so if I would somehow end up Dueling them in real life I was at least prepared for it. I assumed everyone else was also taking it easy, but I wouldn't be surprised if Yusei, Jack, and Crow were training for tomorrow's semifinals, plus Sherry, Aki, and Mizoguchi.
I was so deep into my imagination Duel that I visibly jumped when my smartphone started ringing next to me. I even let out a soft yelp before I realized what was happening. I exhaled a sigh of relief before I put down the cards on the table and picked up the smartphone. The other day, after the reunion lunch, Judai, Yugi, Yusei, and I exchanged numbers, so we could call each other anytime. I was expecting it was one of the team members, but it turned out it was Judai calling, which was a little unexpected.
I still answered the call. "Hello?"
"Hi, Estelle!" Judai's cheerful voice echoed from the other side. "Are you, by chance, free right now?"
"Yes, but why are you asking that?"
"You see, Harald and the others actually want to see you, so do you think you can come to the hotel right now?"
I blinked my eyes in confusion. The members of Team Ragnarok wanted to see me? Why, though? In the anime, they met up with the Satellite Trio around the evening before their semifinal Turbo Duel. The sun was still up in the middle of the afternoon.
"Um… Do you know why they want to see me?" I responded.
Judai became silent for a couple of seconds. "They're curious about the Sector Security Director's daughter being part of a team in the World Racing Grand Prix", he replied in a slight hesitant voice.
The sound of his voice felt off, like what he just said was a lie. However, it wouldn't hurt to meet Team Ragnarok. I mean, they weren't exactly our enemies. Team 5D's and Team Ragnarok were rivals at first, but then they had a mutual agreement and became allies after their Turbo Duel. Maybe I could also find out something more about the team from Scandinavia.
"Okay", I responded. "When and where will I meet them?"
"Are you able to come now to the hotel?" Judai asked.
"Sure. I'll be there in ten minutes."
XXXXXXXXXX
I made sure to bring my Deck and Duel Disk along in case Team Ragnarok was going to pull some kind of dirty trick on me. I drove on my Duel Runner to the hotel and made my way inside once I parked the Runner and strapped the Duel Disk onto my arm. I immediately spotted Judai in the lobby waving his arm in the air with Johan standing next to him, but I couldn't spot the members of the Nordic team anywhere.
I walked straight to the married couple with a soft wave of my hand. "Hi, Judai", I greeted when I stood in front of them.
"Great to see you again, Estelle", Judai grinned before turning to his husband. "Johan, this is the girl I told you about; Estelle. Estelle, this is my husband; Johan."
"Nice to meet you", Johan smiled as he held his hand out. "I heard about you from Judai in the past. You and your boyfriend helped him get Rainbow Dragon back after it got stolen from me."
"It's an honor to meet you too, Johan", I nodded in response and shook his hand. "Although I need to correct you; Yusei isn't my boyfriend."
"Yet…", Judai whispered quietly in a soft chuckle.
I chose to ignore that comment and concentrate on the main objective. "I was told to meet Team Ragnarok, but… They aren't here", I pointed out after I looked around again.
"They're waiting for you in the lounge", Johan replied as he pointed a thumb over his shoulder.
"Will you two be joining us?" I asked.
"Nope!" Judai popped the P before he wrapped his arms around Johan's right arm with a wide grin. "'Cause Johan and I are going out on a date!"
Johan chuckled happily at his lover's antics. "Yeah, and we don't want to get in the way of the youngsters' conversation", he added.
"I see… Then I'll go and see them right away", I nodded before giving the couple a smile "Have fun on your date."
"Thanks! See you later, Estelle! Tell Yusei I said hi!" Judai smiled and waved his hand goodbye as he and Johan walked out of the hotel.
Even as an adult, Judai was full of energy. It was refreshing to see that.
I walked to the lounge and saw the place was a little packed compared to yesterday. I had a feeling it was because of Team Ragnarok because the majority of people here were girls. They were eyeing the men from the north and looked eager to approach and talk to them, but none of them took the first step. I assumed they could sense the strong aura of the Aesir and it frightened them. I walked past the couches and tables and went straight to Team Ragnarok. As I got closer, I noticed the trio was wearing their riding suits. Why, though? Did they have other plans with me than just talking?
Harald was reading a book in Swedish, which I was able to tell by the Swedish title on the book. Dragan had his eyes closed with his arms crossed and Brave was looking at something on his smartphone; perhaps pictures of the orphans he looked after in the anime. I noticed a middle-aged man standing behind Harald dressed just like a butler. I did recall Harald had a butler in the anime, but I forgot his name.
I stopped in front of the table and took a deep breath before speaking up. "Team Ragnarok?"
The trio stopped their doing and looked up from their book and smartphone. Harald's glance was sharp when he looked at me, which felt similar to Yusei's when he was concentrating on something. Dragan's glare felt similar to Jack's, but it was still a little softer than the Signer's. Brave's eyes were more laid back and friendly just like Crow's. It was like I was seeing the Nordic version of the Satellite Trio.
"Yo", Brave was the first one to acknowledge my presence. "We've been waiting for you." He stood up from the couch and held his hand out with a gentle grin. "I'm Brave Alfvén. Nice to meet you."
"Estelle Goodwin", I introduced myself as I shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Brave."
Dragon stood silently up from the couch and walked to me. His poker face didn't change as he held his hand out for a handshake. "Dragan Möller."
"Jösses, slappna av, Dragan! (Jesus, relax, Dragan!)" Brave scolded him with a grin. "Du behöver inte vara så spänd. (You don't have to be so tense.)"
"Hun er fortsatt i vårt rivaliserende lag, Brave (She's still in our rival team, Brave.)", Dragan retorted calmly. "Vi kan ikke senke vaktholdet rundt henne. (We can't lower our guard down around her.)"
I giggled softly at their interaction. They were like a calmer version of a Jack and Crow interaction. "You two remind me so much of Jack and Crow", I commented before I shook hands with Dragan. I noticed his body grew stiff after I mentioned the blonde Signer and his grip tightened a little bit before he let go of my hand.
Harald shut the book in his hand with a soft thud. "Det finns ingen anledning att slå runt (There's no need to beat around the bush.)", he said before he gave the book to his butler. "Vi vet att du förstår oss, Estelle Malmström-Goodwin. (We know you understand us, Estelle Malmström-Goodwin.)"
I grew tense when Harald said my full name. Did this mean he had done some research about me, since my public name was only Estelle Goodwin? His aura also turned cold and serious. Was it part of his power as one of the chosen by the Aesir? Still, I should be ready to fight back if possible.
"Vad exakt vill ni ha utav mig? (What exactly do you want from me?)" I asked, no longer hiding my Swedish tongue.
Dragan and Brave were silent as their leader got up from the couch and walked so he stood in front of me. I couldn't help but notice Harald and Brave were as tall as Jack, but Dragan was even taller than the male blonde Signer. The majority of people originating from Northern Europe were taller than the Asian people, unless there was mixed blood, which I assumed about Jack and Crow, since their names weren't exactly Japanese.
"Det finns för många öron här (They are too many ears here)", Harald said. "Följ oss. (Follow us.)"
The way he spoke reminded me of a captain commanding his soldiers. Then again, he used to be a captain in the Swedish military force before he retired. I knew I couldn't run away now, so I had no choice but to follow the team.
XXXXXXXXXX
Team Ragnarok and I drove to the exact same park where Team 5D's personally met Team Ragnarok for the first time. It was also the same place where my friends and I sometimes visited to get a great view of the city and just be alone in the silent environment. However, the lovely view was ruined by the structure of the Ark Cradle that was still inside the dark wormhole, but peeking out more now since the Grand Design was almost complete.
"Ser du strukturen i himmelen, Estelle? (Do you see the structure in the sky, Estelle?)" Harald asked.
"Ja (Yes.)", I nodded.
"Ingen tvekan om saken (No doubt about it.)", Brave commented. "Du är den Djupröda Drakens Prästinna. (You are the Crimson Dragon's Priestess.)"
"Känner ni till legenden? (Do you know the legend?)" I wondered.
"Naturlig (Naturally.)", Dragan responded. "Og vi kan se det på merket på armen din. (And we can tell by the Mark on your arm.)"
Oh right, I was wearing my waistcoat and spaghetti-strapped top, so my Star Mark was as visible as a naked sky.
"Det innebär att dina vänner från utställningsduellen är den Djupröda Drakens utvalda Signers (This means that your friends from the Exhibition Duel are the chosen Signers of the Crimson Dragon.)", Harald concluded. "Fast… Team 5D's ledare, Fudo Yusei, var frånvarande. (Although… Team 5D's leader, Fudo Yusei, was absent.)"
"Han var upptagen med annat och kunde inte vara med (He was busy with other things and couldn't attend.)", I explained.
Harald hummed in response before he and the other two members of Team Ragnarok looked up at the Ark Cradle. My Mark started glowing and gave me sensations I hadn't felt before. I looked at the trio and sensed a new energy emitting from them. Was this the power of their Rune Eyes? So even the Mark resonated with Team Ragnarok's power and the Aesir?
"Hotet från skyn närmar sig (The threat from the sky is approaching.)", Harald said. "Det är dags att fullföja vårt öde med asagudarna. (It's time to fulfill our destiny with the Aesir.)" He turned to face me with a serious expression. "Och du spelar en viktig roll för framtiden, Estelle. (And you are playing an important role for the future, Estelle.)"
"Vad menar du? (What do you mean?)" I asked.
I knew I played an important part as the Crimson Star Priestess, but did I have also another role to play depending on what might occur in the very final of the World Racing Grand Prix?
My Mark glowed again as I sensed the presence of Yusei, Jack, and Crow. Were they testing their Duel Runners nearby? My question was answered when I heard the noise of the Duel Runners approaching the park. I turned around and spotted the familiar Runners brake next to Team Ragnarok's Duel Runners.
The trio got off their Runners and approached the stairs to the platform where Team Ragnarok and I were standing. "Estelle?" Yusei called in surprise when he saw me. "Why are you here with Team Ragnarok?"
"I-"
"I asked to see her", Harald interrupted me. "And I'm pleased to meet the three main Duelists of Team 5D's before the semifinals."
Immediately after that, Team Ragnarok's left pupils shifted into their Rune Eyes, revealing their power to the Signers. Their Marks, including mine, resonated in response of the activation of the Nordic power.
"What's with their eyes?" Jack wondered.
"I can feel their eyes resonating with our Marks", Crow said as he, Jack, and Yusei checked their glowing arms.
"So you have the Marks of the Crimson Dragon", Brave said before shrugging. "Your symbols are impressive, but…"
"You're not equal to our power", Dragan added.
"This eye is a Rune Eye", Harald explained to the Satellite Trio, pointing at his eye.
"Rune Eye?" Yusei repeated.
"It seems the shockwaves didn't affect you", Harald stated.
"Shockwaves?" Yusei said confusedly.
"Shockwaves that alter time and space", Harald explained. "A large threat is coming to this world. That thing is an omen. It's bringing Fimbulwinter."
"Fimbulwinter?" Yusei repeated.
"Yes. It's an omen for Ragnarök, Norse mythology's final battle", Harald continued explaining.
"You know what that is?" Yusei asked, referring to the Ark Cradle.
"No, we don't know for certain", Harald shook his head. "But we believe it has strong ties with Team New World, the team that appeared after the shockwaves changed time and space. They're working behind-the-scenes to destroy the world. With our Rune Eyes, it's our mission to defeat them. The Rune Eyes show that we inherited the power of the three Aesir."
The leader of Team Ragnarok told us the exact same story as he did in the original anime. The Satellite Trio listened closely to every word he told them.
"The three Aesir have the power to hold up the Scandinavian skies", Harald spoke at the end of the tale of how Team Ragnarok was born. "We must use that power to protect the world from the upcoming threat."
"Protect the world from a threat?" Yusei asked.
"Team New World holds the key", Harald replied. "Therefore, we will solve the mystery when we defeat them in the finals."
"Is that why you entered the tournament?" Crow asked.
"In that case, we have the same goal", Yusei stated. "Let's work together."
Harald pulled out the card of Odin from the pocket of his riding suit and held it up to be seen. The card began glowing as the leader of Team Ragnarok remained silent for a few seconds. He was probably listening to what the Nordic God told him about his opinion of the collaboration.
"The three Aesir cards don't consider you allies", Harald spoke up.
"What?" Yusei said in surprise.
"Your father, Dr. Fudo, caused Zero Reverse", Harald replied. "Since you're part of his bloodline, you have a destiny of destruction."
My blood started boiling when he said that. Dr. Fudo wasn't the one responsible for the massive incident eighteen years ago. It was Roman who got manipulated by the Earthbound Immortals who had been released from their prison with the help of Iliaster. And now he was telling Yusei he had the power to destroy everything in his path?! It took every ounce in my body to stay calm and not lecture Harald with all my strength.
"That's not true!" Yusei retorted defensibly. "I want to protect this city!"
"The upcoming battle will make that clear", Harald stated.
"How dare they accuse us?!" Jack snorted loudly. "We don't need to team up with them."
"As always, you have the pride of a first-class snob", Dragan spoke up.
"What?" Jack growled in response.
"Jack Atlas, do you know why I challenged you to an exhibition match?" Dragan asked with clear anger in his voice.
"No, I don't", Jack replied honestly.
"You may not remember, but I've never forgotten!" Dragan shouted as his shoulders shook by the anger boiling inside of him.
"What?" Jack said, obviously confused.
Dragan told us his story of how he found the card of Thor and how his father got severely injured in the cave-in three years ago. Because he didn't have the money to cover the bills for his father's treatment, Director Goodwin contacted him for an exhibition match with Jack in Oslo, Norway. All he had to do was to lose on purpose and make the Signer look unbeatable and build up a fake fame as the King of Games. That Turbo Duel caused Dragan to throw his Duelist pride away. That in turn led him into a temporary depression and climbed the snowy mountains in hope of ending his suffering and let it get buried in the cold mass.
Jack certainly got stunned when he learned that one of his old Duels had been set up. I had a feeling he was going to go to Goodwin after this and demand him for the truth about his old career as the King of Games.
"Tomorrow is WRGP's true final battle!" Harald declared determinedly. "The winner of the Duel will battle Iliaster!"
"We also can't afford to lose!" Yusei retorted. "Let's settle this, Team Ragnarok!"
"And not only will the Duel determine who will battle Iliaster, but also the fate of your Crimson Star Priestess, Signers", Harald added.
"What?!" Yusei, Jack, Crow, and I exclaimed simultaneously in surprise.
"It is clear that a key component in the battle with Iliaster involves a young maiden from another world blessed by the power of a god from our world", Harald explained.
I visibly flinched after hearing that. Did Harald know the entire time I wasn't originally from this world? "Y-You know…about my origin?" I asked in disbelief.
"Since the very beginning", Harald replied as he turned to me. "Over a year ago, Odin informed me about the presence of a new soul in our world that was brought over by the Crimson Dragon. The Crimson Dragon claimed the soul was the successor of the Mark of the Crimson Star, the Crimson Star Priestess, but Odin sensed the soul was bearing the scent of the northern winds and the power of a Valkyrie."
"Valkyrie? What's that?" Crow asked.
"Valkyries are hosts of female figures who guide the souls of deceased Nordic soldiers in one of the two paths of Fólkvangr and Valhalla", Brave replied, speaking up for the first time in a while. "Basically, they're the Nordic version of guardian angels."
"But there is a legend of seven Valkyries who are chosen by Odin, Thor, and Loki to bear a Nordic relic as weapon and fight alongside the heroes during Ragnarök", Harald added before he placed a hand on my shoulder. "And Estelle is one of the seven Valkyries."
"Me?" I said in disbelief.
I hadn't heard about this from the Crimson Dragon before. Why did he keep silent about the matter that I was possibly a Valkyrie chosen by the Aesir? Did this mean I had two kinds of power? I was so confused it almost gave me a headache.
"You can't take Estelle from us! She's part of our team!" Crow shouted irritably.
"I'm aware of the fact, but she must join Team Ragnarok if we win tomorrow for the sake of the future", Harald retorted before he let go of me. "If you wish to keep Estelle by your side and prove you have the power to protect the world… Win."
With that said and done, the three members of Team Ragnarok walked down the stairs and off the platform and walked toward the Satellite Trio. They walked past and between the members of Team 5D's. None of the Nordic men intentionally bumped their shoulders into each other, which showed they were still respecting my friends. The rest of us were silent as we watched Team Ragnarok get onto their Duel Runners and drove away.
As soon as they were gone, I walked down the platform and headed to the Satellite Trio who was still silent, probably processing what had just occurred. "Guys…?" I spoke up softly.
Yusei was the first one to snap out of it. "Did you know about this Valkyrie thing, Estelle?" he asked.
"No, this was completely new to me", I replied. "I had no idea the Crimson Dragon and Odin had an argument when I was summoned to your world." My eyes narrowed as I suddenly felt determined. "But I know where my loyalty stands. Yusei, Jack, Crow, you must win tomorrow!"
"And we will", Yusei nodded with a determined expression. "I hope the victory will prove to Team Ragnarok that we can join forces and stop Iliaster together."
"Always the mediator, Yusei", Crow forced a small grin before he also got a determined expression. "Let's show the Nordic Gods that our Signer Dragons are superior to them!"
Jack was quiet for a moment before he nodded in agreement. "Red Dragon Archfiend's blazing soul will incinerate the Aesir!" he exclaimed, but there was a hint of doubt and hesitation in his voice.
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The lore about the special Valkyrie is inspired by "Senki Zesshou Symphogear". It will play an important role in one of the sequels of "Crimson Star Priestess (New Version)".
Estelle's Team 5D's pit crew outfit can be found on my DeviantArt page.