Yu-Gi-Oh! The Termina Saga

Opening Theme: "One Unaffected by Hades" by Get in The Ring

Ending Theme: "Desirable Dream" by Get in The Ring

Terror Beneath the Reflection

The two combatants make their way towards the center of a nearby abandoned lot with a surrounding rusty fence. The midnight winds start to pick up, to which neither seemed to mind while they went to position themselves across from each other. Their disks then activate in a mixed sequence of bright flashes and mechanical sounds.

"For simplicity's sake, we will not be using the full features of the Hidden Arsenal System for this match," says Adelia.

Kageru recognizes the familiar term from early speculated leaks. It is said that the duel disks were to possess the capacity to Enhance the battlefield-like scale of duels to an exhilarating experience like never before, and that participants of the DTGC will require mastery over an additional set of skills alongside pure wit and stamina in order to succeed as Termina's King of Games.

This is clearly going to be a duel with other forces taking play that he had to know, and so he asks, "Just what exactly is this Hidden Arsenal System anyway? Did they add some other odd-ball mechanic to this already convoluted game, like the double side field spell thing?"

"You'll come to learn soon enough. Just think of this as a hands-on experience of a real duel in the DTGC."

"I swear. Nothing but riddles and cryptic bullshit with you people. Whatever. Let's go."

The two fiercely swing their duel disks away to their sides. Five holographic, card-shaped projectiles rapidly shoot out from within the newly lit up gaps. They float in front of their owners in a horizontal formation before a computerized voice speaks over the finishing preparations.

1v1 QUICK DUEL MODE ENGAGED. SETTING TERMINAL ZONE. EXPANDING LIMITED BARRIERS.

The gaps flash again, this time releasing an area of particles to establish the multiple field zones and the transparent barriers that divided them.

3...2...1

"DUEL!"

Adelia LP: 4000

Kageru LP: 4000

"You may begin first Milady," Kageru teases in a poorly acted gentleman accent and bow.

"My, aren't you sweet." A quick glance of her hand is all Adelia needs. She taps her chosen card images, causing them to shrink to a size that would fit her hand. "Setting one monster and one face-down to my back row," she declares, tossing over two cards swiftly across the field towards their specified zones. Upon landing, both enlarge before resting their positions. "My turn is over."

"Draw." He aims the disk in front of him and launches out his extra card. So far, it was all a natural feeling. The new disk operates almost exactly like the old models, but with a more realistic, compact twist and slightly more precision than before. To top it off, going second was the ideal preference of his current deck. Things were already looking up.

"Let's see how you handle this! I summon Flamvell Firedog in attack mode!" He taps his chosen monster's card and tosses it over. This time, the card lands face-up over its square. From a burst of light, a flaming hound emerges, ready for battle.

Flamvell Firedog LV4 FIRE/Beast

ATK 1900 DEF 200

"Since I now have a 'Flamvell' monster and you have less than three cards in your grave, I get to special summon Neo Flamvell Origin from my hand!" A tiny infant of pure blue flame floats about aimlessly next to Firedog.

Neo Flamvell Origin LV2 FIRE/Pyro/Tuner

ATK 500 DEF 200

Adelia's eyes intensify with interest. "This is it. Those cards prove it. He is no doubt the one I need."

Kageru figures her now puzzled by these new monsters from a deck he rarely displays in the open. Still, he knew not to take her lightly. DTGC qualified nobles all possess decks fine-tuned with powerful staple inclusions and archetype strategies that were rarely distributed, and sometimes not even made aware to the common public's knowledge. "How about we check what this deck of yours is about."

He had to figure out at the very least what she was aiming to setup. If he can get even a hint, he would've immediately rush before she can even prolong the game than needed. "Enter Battle Phase! Firedog attack the face-down!"

Baring its red-hot fangs, the fire hound rushes over. Its revealed target is a young, blue haired sorceress with a water droplet-tipped staff.

Gishki Ariel LV4 WATER/Spellcaster

DEF 1800

"I figured as much," says Adelia. "Activating Gishki Ariel's flip effect." The sorceress's staff then emits a signaling pulse of aquatic energy. "I may now search a 'Gishki' monster from my deck." A bright, white card silhouette appears for her to declare its name. "I shall call my Gishki Shadow."

With no other retaliation from her owner, the preyed sorceress shatters from a feverish burst.

"I'll be activating Firedog's ability too, if you don't mind. When he destroys a monster and sends it to the grave, I can special summon a FIRE monster with 200 or less DEF from my deck." Having seen how she searches cards with this new device, he too calls out a blank card to name. "Recruiting Neo Flamvell Sabre!"

Both players' declared cards flash again with clarity. Adelia's joins her hand, while Kageru tosses his over to summon it.

From Firedog's howl, came a flame-haired warrior in spiked green armor. It brandishes its searing scimitar in hand is fiercely.

Neo Flamvell Sabre LV4 FIRE/Pyro

ATK 1500 DEF 200

"Sabre's ATK pumps up by 600 points while you have four or less cards in your graveyard."

Neo Flamvell Sabre

ATK 1500+600=2100

"First blood is mine! Sabre, direct attack!" The boundary field separating Adelia from her spell and trap card zone vanishes. A swift sidestep and she evades the first blow, seizing the opportunity to gain space from the grounded smash that follows. Given only a narrow pass, she still goes for the chance to dash towards her back row.

But, the swordsman is not finished. It pulls its weapons from the split asphalt and pursues. Still, she proves to be an astonishingly agile target. This violent chase lasting several seconds nears its end once she was within her desired card's zone. Barely avoiding one final swing, she places her palm over her card to trigger it.

"Reveal trap card! Call of Interlude!" The triggered card flashes, pushing her red-hot pursuer a few feet away. "Return to me Gishki Ariel!" The young sorceress reemerges in her former set position to aid her master once more.

"I guess I'll have to tear your monster a second time! Proceed with the replay Sabre! Cut her down!"

And Ariel perishes from incineration again. "I activate Ariel's flip effect once more to add Gishki Beast from my deck to my hand."

"Neo Flamvell Origin attacks directly!" The flame infant huffs and fires a tiny stream of flames. Much to Kageru's surprise, a large rectangular barrier appears to whisk it from its path. "The hell was that?!"

In response to his shock, Adelia smiles back at him even though the attack still caused damage.

Adelia LP: 4000-500=3500

She manages to fend off two of his attacks, all the while searching two cards in the process. But, all Kageru could uncover was one searcher's effect being abused. Nevertheless, leaving a weak tuner in attack position is unsafe. This offensive push that at least reward him with current field control, which he values most above all else. From here on, he felt safest with continuing this offensive pressure with a stream of monsters. The best synchro at his disposal for this situation was….

"Shifting to Main Phase 2! I tune the LV4 non-tuner Sabre, and LV2 tuner Origin!" The two monsters levitate onto the air. Their bodies transform into tiny glowing stars which form rings. Both sets of objects float about, cross paths, and finally align into a single bright constellation. From it, a new monster is born.

LV2+LV4=LV6

"Synchro Summon conditions met! Let's give em hell, Flamvell Uruquizas!" A fervent magma warrior lands with a slamming fist over its zone, proudly siding with Firedog.

Flamvell Uruquizas LV6/FIRE/Pyro/Synchro

ATK 2100 DEF 400

"I'll drop four more cards face-down." His remaining hand is thrown to the rear zone. "That wraps up my turn."

Though feeling secure of his current board, he could not help but feel slightly uneasy over the impish grin strewn across his opponent's face. "Something funny Castelle?"

"Oh, don't mind me. I was just pondering over that little statement you made earlier about giving me 'a few sore muscles'."

"Crap... Here it comes." His eyes cross in concern. The ability to consistently search any card that supports a deck's core strategy is one of the most deciding factors in judging said deck's potency. Her retort is a sign that all the pieces she needs to retaliate are just waiting to come out.

Adelia fires out her next card with a hard look signifying a coming sequence of combos. "It's time. I activate the effect of the Gishki Shadow in my hand. Discarding for cost. Now I add a 'Gishki' Ritual Spell from my deck to my hand."

A large abysmal vortex from within the center of the field engulfs her paid cost and exchanges it for a new card. "I add Gishki Aqua Mirror!"

Kageru couldn't even fathom the incredible consistency. "She is still adding crap to her hand?!"

But, it stops there. With her pieces ready, all remaining is to ensure their safe landing. "Now let's do something about those set cards you're trying to hide under. Normal summoning Denko Sekka in Attack mode!" A samurai warrior with a long, blue ponytail rises. Standing valiantly with its snow-white armor, it unsheathes a white-handled katana surging with electricity.

Denko Sekka LV4 LIGHT/Thunder

ATK 1700 DEF 1000

Upon its successful summon, the warrior raises its blade high. A blinding flash of energy blankets both sides' spell and trap zones.

The wild sparks cause Kageru to flinch, and he is unable to respond while they render the entire row of set cards unapproachable. "What did you just do?!"

The look of his dismay is met with her predacious grin. "Denko Sekka's ability paralyzes all set spell and trap cards on the field while it is face-up. This effect also prevents either of us from setting any more cards in said zones. Unfortunately for you, the remainder of my spells will fulfill all my needs this turn.

"Tch. Crap."

"Don't look so glum just yet. My turn is still just beginning. And I think I'll continue my move by activating the Double Summon spell. I'll now use my additional normal summon for Gishki Beast."

A green-skinned amphibian with a large mane, and sets of horns, and fins claws out into an open monster zone. Around its head is a necklace closely resembling the golden mirror found in the same ritual spell she searched earlier. With its wide jaws, the creature bore its numerous fangs intimidatingly towards the opposing player.

Gishki Beast LV4 WATER/Beast

ATK 1500 DEF 1300

"Activating Gishki Beast's summon effect. I can now special summon a LV4 or lower 'Gishki' monster from my grave in Defense Mode. Come to me, Gishki Shadow!"

Growling the incantation, it beckons the necklace for power. Adelia's previously discarded monster is reborn, taking the form of an azure amphibious sorcerer with a staff and a charm of similar resembling emblems.

Gishki Shadow LV4 WATER/Sea Serpent

ATK 1200 DEF 1000

"Watch closely Mr. Hinodama. For my merriment starts with this, the Gishki Aqua Mirror ritual spell!"

The winds bluster ever greater, as if being disturbed by the collection of ominous aura now channeling towards the activated card. As these forces flow around her field, Adelia recites a chant:

"Great Mirror of Creation. Accept my offering. Bring forth the scaled beast who punishes unworthy souls to my side! May he join me in granting despair to my enemies!"

Kageru plants himself on the ground. "What a joke!" he calls out mockingly. "Go ahead and tribute all your monsters! That garbage summon method is gonna neg you dry soon enough!"

She smirks knowing his ignorance is about to be owed with a rush of terror and regret. "An understandable misconception! But you see, my Gishki Shadow's ability allows it to fulfill the whole ritual summon requirements alone!"

"T-the whole requirements!?" This renders him speechless. Rituals are among the earliest of powerful monsters. Having to require certain spells and proper tributes that either match or exceed their levels, they of course carry the reward of powerful stats and/or effects. For a long time, however, these creatures often feel prey to common removal, making them unworthy of the resources and deck consistency risk to utilize their power.

But, this is different. This is a ritual deck that almost completely shatters all the faults of the summon method itself. A force of uncertain levels is coming, and all he can do is wait helplessly.

Finally, it appears. Towering out above Adelia's monster zone is a giant gold mirror. Facing its own reflection, Gishki Shadow humbly offers its body. What remains of its essence transfers to the other side of the glass.

Disgust from the sight of it stirs him from the inside. "Just what level is that thing you're summoning anyway!?"

"Patience Mr. Hinodama. You're about to find out!"

Having sate its hunger, the mirror manifests a warped image of the once living tribute. With arms welcoming the arrival of this new being, Adelia proudly calls its name, "Heed my cries! Evigishki Soul Ogre!"

The mirror glass cracks and shatters with a blowing shockwave, setting free an amphibious behemoth with a chest plate of gold extending down to its tail. Its outstretching muscular web arms, and menacingly veiny form strike a chilling pressure into the enemy fire monsters.

Evigishki Soul Ogre LV8 WATER/Aqua

ATK 2800 DEF 2800

Adelia wastes no time to showcase its power. "Have a taste of my clan's might! Soul Ogre's ignition effect; Discarding Evigishki Mind Augus for cost. Now, I shall send your rabid beast back to your deck!"

Soul Ogre's eyes glow with the essence of its discarded comrade. It hurls a condensed blast of the siphoned energy at Firedog, forcing it back into its card form, and whisking it away inside the owner's device.

Following her monster's effect, she slides a hand over her disk to check the graveyard. "Activating Aqua Mirror's other effect. I shuffle it back to return the ritual monster, Evigishki Mind Augus back to my hand."

Now, all that bars her monsters' path is the lone synchro monster, Uruquizas. Before she commences however, she gives a few more words, "A bit of advice; All you need to do is allow only a good fraction of a monster's attack to connect to your body. This will allow you to proceed to the damage calculation step without receiving... too much punishment."

"I need to what!?" He could think of no real reason to waste any bit of his stamina when all the set cards he would've escape to are clearly and utterly useless. The only choice he has here is to receive the blow head on. "I'm not backing out from a pinch damage. Gimme your best shot!"

An eerie smile draws from her face again, as if hoping for that very arrogance of a response. "Very well… Don't say I didn't warn you… Commence Battle Phase! Soul Ogre, rid Uruquizas from my sight!"

The amphibian's charges, effortlessly intercepting the straight hook the target strikes back with in retaliation. With a suffocating grab to the neck, it then watches the warrior squirm before impaling it through the chest with its claws.

Though defeated however, Uruquizas does not shatter into bits of data like normal. Instead, its steaming magmatic body dangles lifeless within Soul Ogre's arm like a cooked skewer. Kageru has hardly a guess as to why. He can only assume that perhaps it has another battle effect that activates upon destroying a monster.

Then Adelia's expression grows colder, continuing to watch the remainder of this sequence that will forever etch a haunting memory on her opponent. With its trophy still hanging morbidly, her Soul Ogre looks over and follows with a mad dash of blood lust at the Hiitan.

"Alright. Here goes. Come on!" Kageru braces his body for the coming impact and is initially calm. He figures that it is no more than a mere product of enhanced solid vision. Its slightly increased force is one he has more than plenty conditioned himself to endure, just as those who have fought in previous DTGC tournaments. At its worst, he would receive no more than a small scratch. There is no reason to cower over such a minor thing. This is his chance to test the waters of the tournament he plans to enter, the one where the man he seeks surely awaits. He will not falter.

But once the attack launches, his immediately eyes rise. Suddenly, all that confidence, all that resolve in his mentality crumbles instantly. What replaces them are throbbing heartbeats of sheer cold terror upon the realization of his mistake; this is no mere enhanced hologram.

"Oh… shit." Few seconds of raw instinct within him scream to tighten his arms just before Soul Ogre violently batters Uruquizas directly at his whole frontal side, shattering the corpse like glass. The impact shoves his body back, but not without the hail stream of solid vision fragments that began to graze him like a merciless sandstorm.

"Arrrgh!"

Kageru LP 4000-700=3300

He manages to keep his posture, but the fragments leave a lasting sting all around his eyes.

"What's the matter!?" taunts Adelia. "Did that mere 700 damage already prove too much for you!? I still have two attacks left you know! You better start moving quickly!" A snap of her fingers signals the next monster's move. "Gishki Beast. Devour him!"

Just barely did he regain vision, only for the rows of sharp fangs and talons viciously approaching to put him into full alert again. His heart rockets harder, and he turns all efforts to dodge. But, the beast proves too quick, and a single brutish tackle pins him down on the asphalt.

Kageru LP 3300-1500=1800

"Daamn it!" Agonizing screams wail out from the tip of his lungs. The piercing fangs sinking all over his shoulder bring an unbridling pain of like never before. The nerves and bones within it cry out from their torturous, crushing prison. "Daaaamn iiit!" He hammers back at the beast's head, thrashes about, and yanks at its mane, desperate to release its ever-tightening grip on his shoulder. It proves firmly stubborn.

"That's good enough," Adelia declares with satisfaction. "Any longer would be breaking the rules. Besides, I still have one more attack left. It would be rude to delay his turn any further."

And monster follows, leaving his mangled prey with a growl of warning before returning to her side.

One more attack left. "Denko Sekka!" The samurai strides ahead with blitzing speed, aiming to lethally slash at the roughened duelist with a now blood-soaking arm picking himself up from the ground.

"Too fast!" Alert spikes him again. He is given no breather, forced into using his already damaged arm for cover. He tries to evade by launching himself back, but the swung katana still lands a tearing line across his skin. Gnashing at his lower lip with a pained grimace, he tumbles across the ground. He lands with face forward over the ground.

A morbid satisfaction fills Adelia, for her foe is now crawling on all four beaten limbs. All initial notions of pride he once has is now broken. "I end my turn," she declares. But, despite his struggle to push himself up, she saw no chance of recovering from this unforgivably punishing lead.

Somewhere not too far from the area of the duel, an azure blue car travels around in a pattern across the murky streets of the derelict district. Sitting at the rear end of the vehicle is a peach-skinned young woman wearing a flower pin. Her orchid eyes dazzle from the immersion of the current game in display on her tablet-shaped gadget. Accompanying her are three of the suited Erian royal guards.

"Oooh. That's gotta hurt," she says so with a hand-covered giggle "I never expected Lia to be so scary, yet oh so super adorable when playing." She glances to the beaten and battered Kageru with lesser enthusiasm. "As for that Hiitan. He doesn't seem so hot. Cute face and all, but he doesn't appear to be all that much in terms of legitimate skill. Honestly can't find what she sees in someone so pathetic."

One of the men at the front seat answers, "Lady Castelle's data suggests that the boy was originally one of the many orphans involved in Project Possessor. Specifically, the one carried out in within the Kurenai militia years ago."

"Hmm. That so?" Her eyes show no more than a slight increase in interest. "Well, he's a tiny bit more durable than most other Hiitans, I'll give him that. Too bad, unlike me and Lia, he hasn't exactly gotten much training. At this rate, he'll be rolling towards an early grave."

"If the young mistress's theory is correct, then this boy will no doubt become a formidable ally, otherwise, it definitely sounds as you said."

She girlishly fingers her chin in wonder. "Heh. I guess it's up to him then huh? Well. I guess he better start getting up on pace then. I'd hate to see such a cutey-pie go to waste. I'd be pouty too if I had to go through all those mean old tests without getting some substantial results out of them."

The other guard who had just finished a call speaks. "Ms. Mistletainn. I just-"

"Ivy, darling," she interrupts with a strictness. "I know this is your first time with me, but please keep that in mind?"

He flusters. "Er-right. Apologize uh Miss Ivy…."

"Good boy. Now, what is it."

"I-I just received a report from surveillance. They have just detected multiple cloaked individuals approaching Lady Castelle's location, and fast. We are currently dispatching our patrol teams to intercept."

"Oooh! They move quick. Had us circling the area for a good long time too. Well, better step on it, and on the double boys!" The driver does so, and they ride off onto the coming battlefield.

"Looks like I get to have a bit of fun tonight!" She giggles again. "Be sure not to die on me yet Mr. Hiitan!"

Few minutes pass from Adelia's last turn. The winds calm to a still breeze, as if they were prematurely declaring her victory. Instead, she finds herself impressed at him. Dirt stains and gashes cover his skin and now thorn clothes. His arm dangles with the large bite mark and clean slash line that continue to bleed. Even still, he manages to barely stand.

Kageru LP 1800-1700=100

Giddily, she remarks, "A tad sloppy, but your reactions just now were incredibly stellar. At this point, I honestly find it hard to believe that this is your first experience using these devices. Curious, wouldn't you say?"

Kageru keeps his sights to the ground. With constant breaths and grip tightening, the built rage festering within him is clearly waiting to erupt. A spiral of burning energy flows out from his disk and begins to envelop his person. Then, in a low, eerie voice. "... Dead..."

She raises a further interested eye, completely sure of what she heard, but decides to reaffirm, "I'm sorry? I did not quite catch that." A mixed rush of excitement and caution begin to fill her. The full extent of strength she had been wanting to awaken, the unveiled clarity of what she is hoping to see is now coming.

The mask covering the enraged Hiitan's half burnt face is blown away, revealing a fire-shaped engraving that lit up like a smoldering pile of ignited coal. Facing her again with the eye on that same damaged side now brimming an infernal orange glow, he repeats his wrathful intent with a roar, "YOU'RE DEAD!"

The heated shockwave from his outburst almost pushes her aback. But still, she smiles. "How enticing... Very well. If you're so confident, then come at me raging soldier of Kurenai."

His glare and posture are fixed firm as he fires out his drawn card as if the injuries he just took didn't matter. "I activate Bonfire!" The spell burns away instantly on play. From its ember, emerges a blank card. "Flamvell Firedog is now added to my hand!" The searched monster is immediately thrown to be summoned.

Flamvell Firedog LV4 FIRE/Beast

ATK 1900 DEF 200

"Enter battle phase! Firedog! Tear Denko Sekka to pieces!"

The white samurai strikes back with swift slashes at the vengeful dog. But, the beast is swifter and stronger. It catches the blade with a firm bite, and proceeds to overpower its wielder. With a fatal chomp to the neck the warrior explodes. Small fragments of the blade briskly shower Adelia.

Adelia LP 3500-200=3300

The once paralyzed back row zones are now free, but his fury of attacks are far from over, "Recruiting Flamvell Grunika!" A purple-scaled dragonoid answers Firedog's war howl.

Flamvell Grunika FIRE/Dragon

ATK 1700 DEF 200

His fiery malice next aims to the very creature that first tore through his arm. "Pulverize Gishki Beast!"

The dragonoid rushes with fists channeled, while its the target hurls itself with jaws wide open. It then delivers a powerful rising uppercut, ripping through its chin and over with an implosion that then shatters its green head whole like an erupting mini volcano. The slayed beast's molten chunks drizzle over its master.

Adelia LP 3500-200=3300

"He's not finished with you," Kageru snarls. "You get to take 200 points of damage times that monster's level!"

While she is stuck in mid recovery, Grunika impales her beast's corpse with its ignited free hand. A ferocious wave swiftly sears through to strike her again. Urgently, she slides one of the cards in hand through her disk arm to conjure the rectangular barrier again and endure it.

Adelia LP 3300-(200x4) = 2500

"What's the matter!?" he taunts. "Did that 800 points of damage prove too much for you!? Let's keep it going, shall we!?"

In most cases duelists relied on their trap cards to control the field during their opponent's turn by protecting their monsters from effects, attacks, or by disrupting the opponent's moves. But of course, Kageru's use of backrow was a different story.

"Here is where MY fun begins! Activating quick-play spell, Tunemergency!"

Since the spell is activated on his turn, with the rule of turn priority, he may simply call for their use via the usual voice command instead of having to physically go over and tap it.

"Special summoning LV1 tuner, Flamvell Baby in defense mode!" A small infant made of raw flame energy ecstatically flies about and around, alongside its comrades.

Flamvell Baby LV1 FIRE/Pyro/Tuner

ATK 800 DEF 200

"And there's more. I activate Urgent Tuning!" As one spell resolves and disappeares, another trap emerges alongside its position. Now, he is able to perform a synchro summon during the Battle Phase. "I tune LV4 Grunika, and LV1 Baby!"

The two bodies mold themselves into stars to once again to call forth a new being.

LV4+LV1=LV5

"Synchro summon conditions met. Get ready to terminate, Ally of Justice Catastor!" From the two monsters, came a quad-legged automaton steed with white armor, and gold plating. At the center of its helmet-shaped head is a small cybernetic sphere that serves as a means for sight.

Ally of Justice Catastor LV5 DARK/Machine/Synchro

ATK 2200 DEF 1700

"Catastor, incinerate!"

Targeting its higher attack foe, Evigishki Soul Ogre who was just as ready to rip its mechanical frame apart, the white metal steed fires an intense beam from its spherical eye. In the end, Soul Ogre is effortlessly reduced to dust.

"It's a darn shame that prick wasn't a DARK monster," Kageru adds jesting.

Adelia is speechless. In a matter of a few moves, the tide she once seemingly controlled is lost, shifting instantly to his side. "… He's good."

It did not stop there, for he flips over another card. "I activate Call of the Haunted! With this, I special summon Flamvell Uruquizas from the grave!"

Flamvell Uruquizas LV6/FIRE/Pyro/Synchro

ATK 2100 DEF 400

Releasing all his pent-up rage, he thrusts his fist forward in command. "ATTAAACK!"

She retreats to a defensive stance again, while the blazing warrior storms in with its fists eager to pummel her. The energy within the attacking duelist's disk spins even faster, as if he and his monster are meld with similar intensity. A sudden burst, and now the warrior is on another level of speed. Proving too chokingly quick for her to avoid, she desperately summons her remaining hand for the full protection of the damage barrier.

Punch after punch came like a bombardment of asteroids. She pushes on to keep herself and the gradually cracking and surging shield steady. It nearly shatters. The last blow is a hard fist that is barely a pinch away from hitting her face directly. Still, it was not without a ferociously potent aftershock that is enough to slam her rolling back.

Adelia LP 2500-2100=400

Uruquizas returns. The cloud of smoke from the attack subsides out from the heavily spent Adelia, who is somehow is still standing with only minor charred marks over her clothing. Compared to what Kageru had to receive from last turn, she is practically unscathed even after taking a full 2100 points of damage.

"What in the hell!?" Finally, did he notice the faint, static glow of the very barrier surrounding her revert back to the cards she has in her hand. "So, by not setting backrow, you can take more hits huh? That's quite a perk."

With a pained and panting chuckle, she replies, "Aren't you the perceptive one?"

Uruquizas amplifies its strength and energy, letting out a proud battle cry as it awaited eagerly for its next opponent.

Flamvell Uruquizas ATK 2100+300=2400

Kageru activates his fourth and last set card. "Reveal continuous trap, Battle Bounty! At the End Phase, I get bonuses depending on the number of monsters I destroyed during the Battle Phase this turn. For one, I get a draw. For two, I gain Life Points equal to half of what I just dealt to you in battle this turn. And for three, I get to add any card from my deck or graveyard to my hand."

The trap gifts away a soothing breeze towards its owner's device to grant him its multiple rewards.

Kageru LP 100+1250=1350

After searching through his deck for the desired card, Kageru drew one more time. "As for the card I added..." Revealed in his hand was a spell card depicting the image of a bright, fiery explosion, where three Flamvell Babies ecstatically zoomed about.

Adelia views the card with fascination. "Incredible. So that is the infamous Rekindling spell; the spell that allows the Flamvells to release their inner fire with greater intensity in order to return for a brief period after death."

"You were pretty smart to shuffle back my Firedog over Uruquizas earlier with Soul Ogre. Too bad for you though, that didn't work out too well. I'm ending this next turn."

She giggles. "Yes. You are indeed formidable Mr. Hinodama. I must admit, I was under the impression that you could only control that clan the way Ms. Akane did by focusing mainly on that card as your sole means of fighting. But as it turns out, you have been perfecting your own craft of it. Your manipulation of the Battle Phase was just marvelous to the point that that spell is merely an extra win condition."

She clasps both hands near her chest. The laugh that came out is nothing less than ecstatic. "Simply wonderful! I can think of no other living candidate who can better command than you! You are without doubt, the perfect inheritor of the Laval tribe!"

"Laval tribe?" He squints both eyes in question, "The hell are you even babbling about?"

"Your skills are impressive, but I'm afraid that skill can only take you so far in the face of power with such a primitive archetype. Don't worry, I'll enlighten you soon enough. It is about time I ended this little game of ours anyway."

She closes her eyes. A sudden flash bursts out of her disk. Like before with him, the device releases an energy of sparkling clear blue. Feeling the full surge of power now enveloping her, she opens her sights. Their very orbs now illuminate with a sapphire glow, bearing streaks that are like flowing tides.

The Hiitan remains cautious, locking his searing eyes with hers.

"… Come to me…," she whispers softly in her mind before drawing.

"I activate the Salvage spell. This returns two WATER monsters with 1500 or less attack points from my graveyard back to my hand. I return both Gishki Shadow, and Gishki Beast." A whirlpool opens and revives the two chosen cards. "I discard my Gishki Shadow to add Gishki Aqua Mirror from my deck to my hand again."

"Crap. This again."

"Now, just as your beast has returned to change the favor of battle, so shall mine. I summon Gishki Beast!"

Gishki Beast LV4 WATER/Beast

ATK 1500 DEF 1300

"With its effect, I'll once again special summon my Shadow in defense mode!"

Gishki Shadow LV4 WATER/Sea Serpent

ATK 1200 DEF 1000

"Now that your monsters are my main threat, I will do away with them through this, the Raigeki spell!" Wrathful surges of lightning fire out of her card, wiping out all of Kageru's monsters in the blink of an eye.

"Time to seal your fate with this, Gishki Aqua Mirror!" Upon the mirror's return, she recites another summoning chant. This time the words are different from the last.

"Great Mirror of Creation, accept the soul of my humble servant. May he join hands with my loyal charmer, so that she may bring forth my wish, my desire to return all that was lost. Return them to their humble beginnings!"

The tribute Shadow reaches and calls for the spirit of Gishki Ariel. Together, they offer themselves to the mirror, melding their reflections into a new being. The mirror shatters again.

"Come forth, Evigishki Mind Augus!"

Evigishki Mind Augus LV6 WATER/Fish/Ritual

ATK 2500

DEF 2500

"Talk about morbid," Kageru remarks, disgusted with its figure.

"I'm afraid it's appearance is the least of your concerns. I activate Mind Augus's special ability! Go my new servant, and remove Castor, Firedog, Baby, Grunika, and Uruquizas from the grave. Return them to where they belong!"

"What?!"

A swing of its staff creates a streaming, spiritual line of aquatic energy, forcing all of Kageru's selected monsters right back into his deck.

"Rekindling is useless, and now you are open! Battle Phase! Gishki Beast. End this duel, and feast upon his fervent flesh!"

"Not today you're not!" Kageru tosses a card in his hand onto the field. "Burn and block it, Kuriblaze!" A tiny, meteor-like puffball with big, light-orange, and angry eyes rockets out of his card to intercept the blow. The beast is stopped in its tracks, with its master disgruntled.

Kuriblaze LV1 FIRE/Pyro

ATK 300 DEF 200

"Something wrong Castelle?!" Kageru taunts. "You got an attack replay chance, and one monster left! Go on! Get rid of it! Two hits and I'm done right?!"

"Kuri kuri!" The glaring, fiery puffball on his field joins in the taunting.

She snaps at her lip. "Clever. Fall back my beast!" The creature does so. "I end my turn."

The two stare each other down again, their energy-filled eyes completely in a standstill of life and death. Adelia finds am bit of relief in having removed all the monsters in her opponent's grave. Not only did this cripple the spell he holds, but it also made Kuriblaze unable to use the effect that would have surely prolong his life further by banishing them while it is in the grave to reduce damage. Even so, she was wary of whatever potential surprises he may use next, now certain that he can influence his draws, like she can.

Kageru on the other hand is still contemplating what he could do to buy time. A lone draw at this point will not gear his victory in a turn. He knew his mind that the Flamvells bore little in the form of recurring resources. A well-thought single combo is what he needs, but he needed to defend first, while wary of whatever other monsters she may summon, as well as potential hand traps that could shut him off completely.

Just then, the wailing of multiple screams breaks their focus. A legion of monsters sweeps down from the sky, tearing over the surrounding area with a bombardment of attacks that assail off Adelia's men.

"What the hell is going on?! What are you up to Castelle!?" But, he then witnesses that she was also in a state of indescribable alarm.

"No… Not them." She is shaken as she watches her men being quickly ripped apart. Even as they finally start to fight back, even the duelists among them initiate to face these unnamed shadows, there is no shortage to the brutality.

"Hey! Castelle!? Castelle! Spit it out already! Just who are these bastards!?"

Finally hearing his voice, she answers, "Tribal Hunters! We need to leave Kageru!"

But, they are cut off before they can act further. One of these so-called Hunters breaks through their arena field's boundaries, appearing to be an almost seven-foot man in black and dark green cybernetic armor bearing a draconic design.

Adelia in her fears, utters his name. "Rider…"

They are given no time to exchange further words. Amidst this chaos, Rider brandishes his own duel disk to challenge them both. Aiming to the center of them, his link establishes with theirs.

PENALTY INTRUSION DETECTED! 2000LP DEDUCTED!

Though zapped with highly potent volts from within his device, Rider shrugs it off like nothing.

Rider LP 4000-2000=2000

His starting hand launches out before he finally speaks in a deeply garbled, robotic voice. "Activating Foolish Burial. I send Dragunity Brandistock from my deck to graveyard." A fissure breaks open to absorb the chosen card.

"Hey!?" Kageru calls out of confusion of his actions. "What gives asshole!? This isn't your duel! So, screw off already!"

A brief pause but, Rider simply ignores him. "Now, I'll summon Dragunity Legionnaire in attack mode!" A green birdman rises up, proudly flashing its white and gold chain mail, and gauntlets.

Dragunity Legionnaire LV3 WIND/Winged Beast

ATK 1200

DEF 800

"Legionnaire can now equip the Brandistock I sent to the grave. Ride the wind!" Legionnaire howls a war cry, then clangs both gauntlets together to call out the named grey dragon in a spikey, light blue mail to mount.

"And now, I banish the monster-equipped Legionnaire! From my hand, rend the wind, Dragunity Arma Leyvaten!" A whirlwind surrounds the rider, and from the gusts came a new creature in the form of an orange, four-winged dragonoid warrior with a long, razor-edged blade.

Dragunity Arma Leyvaten LV8 WIND/Dragon

ATK 2600

DEF 1200

"Endow your strength once more, Dragunity Brandistock!" The orange dragonoid raises its blade to cut out a hole in the grave. The two merges to amplify the wielder's blade.

"Enter my Battle Phase! Strike quick and true, Dragunity Arma Leyvaten!"

Upon declaration he aims his disk at the monster and slides open a new option menu. Seeing this alarms Adelia, "No. He's going to fight with the Spirit Drive option!?" She turns to her former opponent. "Kageru! Surrender now! Hurry, while you still can!"

"What's with you all the sudden!? If anything, he's your problem, not mine!"

"No! You need to listen! Quickly, before-"

A massive flash of light halts down their bickering. They look to the attacking monster, only to find its controller now out of sight. Within seconds, Kageru's duel disk alarms with a beaming a red light.

Then it came. From the sky, Leyvaten zips down like a gale, permitting no chance for either player to react. Inside its head, the very voice of its master gives the order, "Destroy Kuriblaze." And so, it did. With swift ferocity, it thrusts its blade, mincing the red puffball.

Before completely shattering, Kuriblaze overloads with the striking power of the attack, causing it to expand before bursting in an explosion of flame that pelts its burning debris between the two battlers.

Kageru attempts to conjure the barrier himself while both he and the dragonoid are pushed back from the force. "Damn it! Son of a-!"

Kageru LP 1350-(2600/2) =50

Rider LP 2000-(2600/2) =700

He survives, but it proves short-lived. As the smoke from the blow clears, the monster appears now directly at his face "Shit! A double attacker?!"

Its sword impales his beyond damaged shoulder. Screams of excruciating pain course through his lungs. The attacker is merciless, driving the force of its metal through even deeper and forcing its victim against the edge of the unopened field barrier that was now sending torturous volts all over to prevent his exit. "Aaaarrrhgh!"

Kageru LP 50-2600=0

Having lost, the barrier abruptly opens to free him, only for the suppressed forces to rocket him further back violently towards an alley.

"Kageru!" Adelia attempts to give chase, but the recovered monster would waste no moment to bar her path.

What remains of her men begin to flock to her side. In response, four other cloaked hunters join Rider. Determined to plow through them all, she readies her draw. "You will deeply regret not finishing me when you had the chance Tribal Hunter."

A flash engulfs Leyvaten again, and two split back to duelist and monster. Rider then replies, "Do your worst, tribe user. You're next."

Now fully spent, Kageru lies defeated on the dirt. His hands twitch and throb from the unending pain and the shocks. Blood sipping out from his several open wounds would only sap his dissipating strength further.

And beyond this pain, is the thought that hurt the most. "I... Lost." He could turn to no one. He had no strength to escape from it all. He is still too weak despite it all. Was this to be his place to die? In a battlefield that could only fill him with questions? An end with no fulfilling purpose? His vision starts to blur with this thought as he utters the one person in his mind. "Akane. H-help… me. I. I don't know what to… do anymore."

Seconds after, he hears a girl humming merrily on the alley alongside the pattering noise of her footsteps. "Oh great… Now… what?"

Now standing over him, is Ivy with innocently curious eyes. She playfully taps at her cheek with a finger. "Me oh my. What. Do. We. Have here?" Forcing his body over with no regard, she puts an ear to his chest for heartbeats. "Oooh. You're still kicking it Mr. Hiitan! Incredible!"

While she pushes against a wall, he weakly lifts his drooping eyes to get a look at her face. What he sees is a Wynnian with purple pigtails, in a revealing beige dress shirt. Confusion piled on at the sight of her teasing smile. "Who... are-"

"Shhh… You've had a rough day Mr. Hiitan, but it's way past your curfew. Lia's gonna need you in one piece, okay?" She wraps her arms around her quarry in a tight lock, then fingers around his pockets for his phone. "I'll be borrowing this really quick if you don't mind."

She then winks at him with a coquettish smile."Mmm… Time for bed… Com'ere cutey." Even as she is stained with the blood and filth from his tattered figure, her face inches even closer.

His heart panics upon feeling a soft sensation touching his lips. What follows is the alarming taste of a powdery substance from her tongue. Try as he might to push her away, he was beyond spent. Finally succumbing to her imprisoning embrace, he closes his eyes.

AN: Man, this was long, at least for me. Finally got to showcase the new duel disks in their touch screen like action. Honestly, i'm still bummed at the fact that the DSoD movie did something, because that was seriously what I was going for. Main difference: the cards here are larger, and the field is more interactive for my end. I wanted to add some more legit tension, and the feel of an actual battlefield, with more animation/movement between the combatants, so that's how the idea came for these disks. And I do plan to showcase how I've been truly envisioning the combat. Yes, the crazy realism of the disks and their area affecting scale will surely not end there. I just need to get the right setup for it, and slowly feed parts, since it may be a bit much to take in and too wordy for the duels.

The duel itself was a blast to write. I feel relieved to get to this point, since I can start actually using the DT stuff. Yes, the Gemini deck was just a smoke screen, and you already have seen why it was better for our hero that way X)

I wanted an abrupt way to close the chapter, otherwise I would have ended up making another sequence to do it at another setting. Didn't want to do that. Chapter is beefy already, and I want to skip parts as often as possible of course. So yes, for those rereading this for the finish, that's why i decided it best to merge the full duel instead. Figured that it would flow better that way. It was also a perfect chance for me to introduce Ivy, and I couldn't wait to implement her in too. Also figured, her 'intimate' moment would fit with her design. No, I'm not shipping, (or at least, I haven't really planned on that :/) but you're all free to do so Xp

Once again, i await your sweet, sweet, painful, soul-breaking, constructive, but motivating feedback. Till next time. Toodles. And now, OC cards and stuff:

Call of Interlude

Normal Trap

Activate this when a card you control leaves the field. If it was a monster, special summon that monster back in its original position, OR if it was a spell or trap, set that card face-down in your spell and trap zone. If the card is treated as a pendulum scale, return that card to your hand.

Kuriblaze

LV1 FIRE/Pyro

ATK 300 DEF 200

Effect: Activate this effect when your opponent's monster declares an attack, special summon this card from your hand. If this card is destroyed by battle, inflict damage to both you and your opponent, equal to half the attack of the monster that destroyed it. If this card is destroyed on the field by a card effect, inflict 800 points of damage to both you and your opponent. While this card is in the graveyard, if you would take damage from battle, or card effect, you can banish this card and any number of monsters in your grave; reduce the damage by the total amount of the removed monster(s) ATK or DEF points.

Tunemergency

Spell/Quick-Play

Effect: Activate only during the Battle Phase, while you control a non-tuner monster(s), and you control no tuner monsters. Special summon a tuner monster from your deck with the same Type, Attribute, or Level as one of the non-tuners you control in defense position. That monster has its effects negated. You cannot special summon any other monsters the turn you activate this card, except by synchro summoning. You can only activate one Tunemergency per turn.

Battle Bounty

Trap/Continuous

Effect: At the end of each turn's Battle Phase, for every monster you destroyed, apply each of these effects in succession:

1: Draw a card.

2: Gain Lifepoints equal to half of the battle damage you inflicted this turn.

3: Add 1 spell of trap card from your deck or graveyard to your hand. You cannot activate or set the selected card this turn.

-Last Revised on July 21, 2018-