A Song from the Divines

by TheSingingSword

[Rewrite] The story of a boy named Yuri, who is taken from all that he knows and loves into a world where he must rule as High King and wield the God Cards to bring peace to the continent of Termnnia. But his task will not be an easy one, for he is surrounded by foes looking to take away his crown by any means necessary. [AU-Fantasy]

48. The Beast of the Autumn Forest

Yami and Yugi

October 18 - Year 18 4AOS

---

"Michael's going to be joining the fight!" Yugi called over the loud roar of the Duel Runner gifted to him by Prince Michael. "And now Prince Jaeyoung is involved, too. Shouldn't you be happy about that?" Yugi asked. "I mean, Prince Daveed – er – Yuri isn't even back in Termnnia and already the members of the alliance are working together."

"I know this!" Yami shouted over the noise. "But that is not why I worry, Yugi."

"Now what's on your mind?"

"Girls all over the continent are killing each other for Yuri's hand in marriage. Daughters of all ranks of power go to war for him. Eight Noble Houses went extinct the past month, Yugi. This is not good. Armies are weakening up north and much of the south. If this keeps up, King Forrest's campaign to conquer the kingdoms will be achieved in no time."

"So what do you plan to do now?"

"Something I swore I would never do," Yami responded with a heavy sigh. "I have to find Yuri a bride."

Yugi's eyes widened. He was shocked. An arranged marriage was the last thing he thought the Spirit of the Millennium Puzzle would think of.

"You can't be serious? But what about Prince Jon and Stas and Ryon? We still have business with them."

"I can't afford to go from country to country anymore to see our pacts met personally, Yugi," Yami answered furiously. "War is coming. Antilles has shut down the Gates. And our contact on Earth claims Rare Hunters have been spotted looking for Yuri. There is a tournament taking place very soon there. Kaiba set it up to help Yuri bolster his skills in Duel Monsters, but at a price. He has to surrender his rarest card."

"Oh no," Yugi groaned. "It's Battle City all over again."

Yami nodded and steered the Duel Runner sharply through a long curve in the road. He avoided a merchant traveling by, who had a look on his face as though he had seen a ghost. Yami tossed the merchant a gold Plate for the inconvenience as he passed by.

"Battle City indeed," he said, "no doubt Kaiba is using this to keep Yuri a little more focused. But that Black Tyranno in his deck is no ordinary card. Kaiba should know a little better than to have Yuri risk losing it."

"I agree it's a little harsh, but as you said, it should keep Yuri a little more focused. But back to this bride business. Uh, don't you think that's a little too bold? For that matter, what's that going to do to our relationship with the other Houses?"

"I'd rather a little hate from families I don't care to remember than have Termnnia turned into a religious dictatorship. Besides, nobody told them that Yuri was theirs to marry. Nobody told them to go to war. Half our territories in the north have fallen because of this conflict. The Princess Wars is what they're calling it. A lot of backstabbing, plotting, and other forms of betrayal were carried out because of this war. Alliances that lasted thousands of years were suddenly broken because someone's daughter wanted to marry the High King. But fear not, Yuri. I have already thought of a bride for Yuri."

"You have? So soon?"

"Yes. Princess Antoinette Trossan of Bauna. Her family has served House Plantegrast since their foundation. They are loyal to the High King. So loyal, that they disregarded their duties as the High King's stewards and joined Antar in his rebellion against the Dragonhearts. King Reynolds was a good friend of Gabriel and I. We even spoke of having his daughter married to the Prince should the need arise. And it has."

"She's one lucky girl," said Yugi.

"Luck had nothing to do with it," Yami responded with a chuckle. "House Trossan's devotion to honor, loyalty, and friendship earned this girl the right to marry the Prince of Termnnia."

"So why aren't we heading to Castle Pinehold to inform her?" Yugi asked. "And why couldn't we bring Ser Gerhalos along?"

"He's got his own mission. Don't worry, we'll catch up with him soon. As for the princess, she's not at Castle Pinehold, Yugi. Were you not paying attention to the letter King Reynolds wrote to us?"

Yugi scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Uh…well…I was…my mind was on other things."

"And that is why I'm the one running around," Yami responded in agitation. "You're far more worried about the Duel Monsters aspect of Yuri's life. I digress. It seems Princess Antoinette is in trouble of some sort. Her father sent us here into the forest to remedy the situation."

"What happened?" asked Yugi, leaning forward so his ear could be in range of Yami's mouth to better hear his words which were drowned out by the roar of the Duel Runner.

"If you had been paying attention, you would have known. For now, you must see for yourself what's going on with the princess."

Yami continued the drive along the road, and for a long period of time, Yugi said nothing. The night was soon falling upon the world. The sky turned purple-orange from the sunset. The stars were already twinkling in small splotches of inky black. The mountains once a beautiful shade of green were no colored in bright orange. As the Duel Runner sped down the road, Yugi and Yami could hear crickets in the grass, katydids hissing in the trees above, and the occasional hoot of a great owl.

The air had gotten colder, now that the warm light of the sun was fading away. Even though he was in spiritual form, Yugi could feel himself getting chilled to the bone. He shivered and looked at Yami, who was unfazed by the briskness of the air pounding him as he sped faster and faster toward their destination, wherever it was. As he rubbed his hands up and down his cold shoulders, Yugi repented not paying attention to the letter Reynolds gave Yami once they landed in Gold Harbor after their voyage from Akuuda.

But there was just so much excitement going on around him that he didn't concern himself with it. Oh, he recalled the wondrous sight of the Eredi Navy sailing in perfect unison across the waters to Akuuda to aid Prince Marcel and his people from the Naralians. It was going to be a stern message to King Forrest.

An alliance unlike any the world had ever seen was forming. If he messed with one of them, he would have to contend with all of Termnnia. Whether he liked it or not, Yuri was coming back. And the God Cards would be with their chosen wielder. Yugi swallowed. During the Battle City Tournament many years ago, when the God Cards were stolen by Marik and his Rare Hunters, he could have sworn that he and Yami were their chosen wielders. There was a time throughout that tournament that many had come to the conclusion that not only would a new King of Games be crowned, but a new King of Kings. A new High King. Seto Kaiba had wielded Obelisk the Tormentor as though he were his master. Slifer the Sky Dragon blew away Yugi's foes, and The Winged Dragon of Ra obeyed Marik like he was born to use him.

Even though he and Yami won them all at the end of the games, Yami could not find it in his heart to keep them and put them back in their sacred chamber deep within the Spire of the Kings. But now they were gone. Not long after Yami put them back, the three mightiest monsters in the world flew out of the spire and flew towards the dark waters of the west. Yugi knew where they went. Only a fool would seek them in the place where they chose to remain hidden to not be stolen again.

Just as Yugi was about to ponder the thought of Yuri adventuring into that awful place, a horrible sound sent fear surging through his small frame. He looked over his shoulder and saw shadows dashing behind the trees, their paws crunching the leaves beneath them and snapping twigs. He saw burning red eyes glowing in the darkness. The creatures chasing them were running as fast as the Duel Runner. And they were hungry. An eerie chorus of spine-tingling howls pierced the night, frightening all the animals in the forest.

"Dire wolves!" shouted Yugi. "Faster! Faster!"

"Hold on!" shouted Yami, revving up the Duel Runner and gaining speed. He had to be careful around the sharp turns of the road. One wrong move and he and Yugi would be doomed.

Yugi looked behind them. The dire wolves were now on the road, snarling, tongues hanging out of the sides of their mouths, drool pouring from between their teeth in hunger. The glow of the Duel Runner's tail light cast a hellish red on their faces. Their fur was black on the top and dark brown on the side. Their claws were as black as darkness and their teeth were like swords glistening in the summer rains. Their breath came out like puffs of smoke, their ears wriggling as they pushed their bodies to the limit to bring down the Duel Runner and the rider.

"Can't this thing go any faster!?" Yugi cried. "They're gaining on us!"

Just then, Yami saw something poke out of the treetops in the distance. Glistening white towers with brilliant blue tiled roofs and windows glowed in an inviting orange light meaning someone was home.

"I found it!" Yami cried. "Hold on, Yugi!"

"To what?" Yugi cried. "Nothing can't happen to me!"

But Yami did not listen. He let go of the right handle and pressed a button on the touchscreen mounted on the cockpit. A compartment to the side of his seat opened. A neon blue light illuminated the item within. A black sword, beautifully decorated with gold ornamentation that wrapped around the dark blade, like vines. A beautiful diamond with a light in the center hovered under the pommel radiating a brilliant glow that let out rainbow hues.

It was a sword that was gifted to him by Marcel and his lord father as a token of thanks for allowing them into the alliance with Prince Yuri. Yami slid the Duel Runner to the side. Dust and pebble were launched into the air. Yugi hollered at Yami's sudden daredevilry. A dire wolf pounced forward, but Yami cut the beast's head off with one powerful strike just seconds before the monster's teeth would sink into his slender neck for the kill.

The other wolves back away upon seeing the death of one of their pack members. Yami saw that his actions merely made them angry. He turned the Duel Runner forward down the road and sped away. The wolves howled and gave chase.

Many of them were so hungry, that it fueled them to go even faster. Yami could hear them grunting and snarling beside him. He looked to the left and saw a dire wolf get so close that it was snapping at his ankles. Yami jabbed the sword into the left side of the animal's head. The dire wolf yelped and tumbled forward before laying still. Yami then heard the other wolves yelp and dash into the forest.

"Spirit!" Yugi called. "Look!"

Yami looked to the orange sky and what he saw almost caused him to lose control of the Duel Runner. There, flying high in the sunset, a dragon roared at the pack, scaring them off. One half of its body was glistening like platinum hued with a whitish-blue tinge. And the other half was black and decorated with intricate glowing patterns as red as the sun slowly looming behind the mountains that even bowed to the majesty of the castle in front of him. Yami and Yugi, both Master Duelists, recognized the dragon as an Eclipse Wyvern.

It seemed to pay them no heed. The dire wolves were the only thing it wanted to scare off. In fact, it just ignored them. Yami did not wish to ponder why there was a dragon here considering they were all but extinct; nor did he wish to question its decision in ignoring him. The dire wolves were gone and for that he was grateful.

Eclipse Wyvern continued to fly farther and farther into the forest. The frightened howling of the wolves got fainter until they could be heard no more. Without a word, Yami continued his ride to his destination, hoping Princess Antoinette was somewhere in there so he could get to the bottom of this strange fiasco her father wrote about in the letter.

The castle was getting closer. Yami could see the black iron gates which stood at the center of a tall white wall festooned with undulating vines covered in white flowers that were ringing like little bells. He slowed down and parked the Duel Runner beside a fountain that had run dry years and years ago. The walls were cracked and covered with fines. Weeds grew from every nook on the ground. The fountain was carved with a friendly-looking fish with its mouth open. Yami guessed it was where the water had poured out.

He got off the Duel Runner and walked toward the gates of the castle. His boots crunched on the bluish-gray pebbles and dead leaves scattered across the ground.

"Doesn't look like anyone is home," said Yugi. Yami ignored him, refusing to believe that. "Let me take over," Yugi suggested. "It's been a long road and you need rest."

Yami looked at the boy over his shoulder. "You are sure?"

Yugi nodded. "I can handle this, Spirit."

Yami nodded back. The Wdjat eye at the center of the Millennium Puzzle glowed. There was a flash of warm light. Yami's height dwindled drastically. His hair became less pointy and his eyes were taller and wider as he turned into Yugi Muto, the true owner of the body he had been using for weeks and weeks. Warm golden specks of light flew around the boy and vanished into the night.

Yugi felt even colder now that he was in full control of his body again. He had been in spirit form for so long, he had almost forgotten the use of his flesh and bone. He wobbled for a moment until he remembered how to use his legs again. He wriggled his fingers to get used to them and took a deep breath of fresh air for the first time in weeks. Once he had gotten used to being in solid form, he hesitated for a moment at the task ahead and then walked toward the gate. He touched the ornate brass knocker. What happened next caused him to yelp and jump back. He placed a firm grip on his digger, still sheathed on his hip. The gate slowly swung open. The rusty hinges creaked ominously. The bottom rail swept aside clumps of stones and dead leaves.

"Be careful," Yami warned him. "I sense a great sorrow in this place. This castle and the lands around it have been cursed."

Yugi gulped. "Very comforting, Yami," Yugi said with a roll of his big purple eyes.

He stepped into the courtyard. It was in complete disarray. The bushes, once green and dotted with beautiful flowers, were dry, brown, and bare. Weeds grew out of the gardens. The shutters of the castle matched the blue rooftops above. Some were crooked and others dangled on the last clumps of rust on their hinges. They creaked and some smacked the windows in the wind.

"Hello!" Yugi called out, holding a hand over his mouth to amplify his voice. "Anybody home? Anybody home?"

No answer. That made him feel uncomfortable considering the orange glow of the windows. The constant flickering meant that there was a fire going in every room. Clearly, someone was up and about in there.

Yugi heard the soft sound of silver bells coming from the left side of the courtyard. Amongst all the dead flora was a bush, still green and healthy and covered in blue roses. Yugi adjusted the brooch of his cape and walked toward the bush to inspect the strange flowers. The flowers were ringing with a melody far more beautiful and soothing than the one growing on the vines outside the wall of the castle.

The flowers were dark blue with a neon blue pattern glowing on the tips of the petals. He thought that Téa was going to love one of these for her birthday. Being a princess of Gardenrealm, flowers were a love she held close to her heart. And these specimens were very special with the radiant ringing and bioluminescent glow.

"Yugi, wait!" Yami called.

But it was too late. As soon as Yugi picked one of the flowers, the air around him grew cold. The shutters of the castle burst open and then a loud roar thundered from the woods on the other side of the ruined wall.

Yugi braced himself when he saw what made that horrible roar. From the darkness of the woods, a monster was running toward him. In an instant, Yugi held out his arm. Three runic circles hovered over the length of his arm while another formed over his palm. He quickly knelt down and smashed his palm on the pebbles, conjuring an arcane circle around himself. Just as the monster was getting closer, Yugi summoned his Celtic Guardian.

The elf warrior appeared in a flash of light. He grunted and drew his enchanted steel sword, pointing it at the monster. The creature came to a complete stop, spraying dirt and pebbles. Yugi drew his dagger, confident that his Celtic Guardian would provide him with enough protection to fight back the horrible beast in front of him.

The beast was humanoid and, surprisingly, wore stylish clothing. A midnight blue gentleman's outfit with lavish gold ornamentation. His fur was auburn in color with a mane of dark brown. Two horns adorned his head. The two lower canines protruded up from the corner of his mouth, glistening white. His snout was like a bear's and his eyes were odd. The left eye was cerulean and the right in brilliant aquamarine. A portion of the mane on the back of his head was formed into a ponytail complete with a blue ribbon.

He stood up on two legs, dwarfing both Yugi and his Celtic Guardian. The beast was ten feet tall and brandished his claws. He flashed his sharp, gleaming, dagger-like teeth at the boy, hoping to draw fear. The hair on the monster's body stood on end like bristles at the end of a broom. His odd blue eyes flashed dangerously as they peered down at Yugi. He snorted, releasing a puff of hot air before he growled.

"THEIF!" the beast shouted at Yugi. "I let you into my home and you repay my kindness by stealing my roses! You shall die for this treachery!"

"Don't even think about it," Yugi said, unfazed by the monster's loud and intimidating voice. "My Celtic Guardian is fast with the blade. You will die if you take another step."

He almost grinned, pleased that his threat worked. The beast in front of him remained still, legs apart, arms out, and claws brandished. But even the beast knew better than to tangle with the elven warrior in front of him, let alone the boy standing behind him. The monster could sense a great power radiating from him.

At the same time, Yugi and the Celtic Guardian did not dare to challenge the beast's strength. Even though the Celtic Guardian was well-armed and fast as the wind, the beast looked like he could rip him apart if he got the chance.

The beast almost grinned as well. It seemed both he and Yugi were at an impasse.

Neither one of them moved. The silence and the lack of fear in Yugi started to annoy the creature.

"GET OUT!" roared the beast, although his confidence was gone thanks to the Celtic Guardian standing in front of him. "Get out. Or I'll…I'll…"

"You'll what?" interrupted Yugi.

The beast stepped back and gave a wheezing gasp. He was annoyed as he was astonished. Most fools who set foot within his property uninvited would have ran for the hills the moment they heard his roar from the forest. "You think you're so bold, don't you?" the beast asked. "If it weren't for that elf, I'd rip you limb from limb."

"How do you know the elf is here for my protection?" Yugi retorted confidently. "He's actually here for yours. I am a well-trained wizard, good sir. I could have turned you to ash the moment you came running out of the forest."

"Indeed," said the beast, rather calmly. "Tell him to lower his iron, if you will? Regardless of who is in power right now, this is MY castle. And that was MY rose you picked. Unless of course, it's law where you're from to just storm into someone else's property and take things from them at the mercy of a monster's blade."

"Well, it is," Yugi replied. "Especially if the host threatens visitors with cries that he'll kill them for taking a flower and threats that he'll tear them limb from limb."

"Goddesses!" shouted the beast, waving a monstrous arm across the air. "What times we live in. When brigands can come barging into someone's home, act the king, and thinks he'll be brought bread and butter. Bah! What times we live in. What times indeed."

They both stood still for a long while. Celtic Guardian growled, still brandishing his blade at the beast in the waning sunlight.

"So," Yugi finally said. "Are we just going to stand around all night?"

The beast shook his head from side to side in frustration and he snorted, letting out a puff of steam from his nostrils. "Oh, really?" he replied. "What do you have in mind, boy? You want to argue lying about on the floor then? Tell your monster off, I said!"

Yugi nodded and called back his Celtic Guardian. "Don't get any ideas," he said. "I can call him back faster than you can blink."

"What business do you have here in my place?" the beast asked, scratching his ear.

"I've come here looking for Princess Antoinette of the House Trossan. Daughter of King Reynolds of Baun. She's but a child of nineteen. And maybe some food if it's not too much of an inconvenience."

The beast rolled his head to the side with a confused look on his monstrous face. "Uh…" he began. He stuttered for a moment before he said: "Are you really not frightened of me, boy?"

Yugi shrugged. "Should I have any reason to be frightened of you?"

The beast growled and ran a paw down his face. He cleared his throat and fixed his coat, standing up straight and puffing out his chest to look sophisticated. "Very well, then. If you are an honest boy, I will invite you in. It's not often that I meet someone who doesn't scream or faint at the sight of me. But be warned, my dear guest, don't try anything stupid. Past those doors, you enter my kingdom. I am the lord and master. I am the judge, jury, and, if the need arises, executioner."

"That's fair," Yugi responded, sheathing his dagger back in the gold-damasked scabbard on his belt.

The beast extended his arm toward the door. "My house is your house."

"Is Princess Antoinette here?" Yugi asked. "My business is with her."

The beast frowned. "She is. But, we will get to her when we get to her," he said briskly. "Now are you going to make use of my lavish invitation, boy? Because if you aren't, well, the gate's right behind you."

"Very well," said Yugi. "We'll eat first. Then we can get on with my business."

The beast smiled and stood straight up again. "What should I call you, dear guest?"

"Yugi Muto."

The beast's eyes widened. "The King of Games...HA!" he shouted, grabbing Yugi's hand and shaking it. Yugi yelped helplessly, feeling that the monster was going to rip his arm out of its socket. His fur was soft and warm. "Why didn't you say so, dear boy!? I have been a fan of yours since your victory at Duelist Kingdom." He laughed, finally letting go of Yugi's arm. "This is a tremendous honor, my dear boy. Please, please. Come in, come in."

"Uh, thank you," Yugi said weakly, rolling his arm in circles until he felt his shoulder pop back into place. "And what may I call you, good sir?"

The beast bowed. "I am Grigoris of the House Goldenshield. Duke of the Father Woods and Lord of the Marble Mountains."

"It's a pleasure," said Yugi.

He followed the monster into the castle, past oversized hallways with intricate arches and ceiling frescos, windows of painted glass, black and white tiled floors.

As soon as Yugi and the beast neared the arched entryway into the dining hall, the beast stopped and blocked his way.

"What's going on?" Yugi asked, putting a hand on the grip of his dagger.

"There is no need for that, dear guest," the beast implored him. "I have a bit of a challenge for you."

Yugi lowered his head and ground his teeth. "What sort of a challenge?"

The beast held up his wrist to show off a gold bracelet that transformed into a gold Duel Disk, lavish in design with scrollwork, leafy ornaments, and a white marble surface to play his cards. "Yugi Muto. I challenge you to a Duel! If you win, we may proceed to dinner. Lose, and I will see that you're a liar, and you'll be kicked out of the gate with my boot print on your ass!"

Yugi smiled. The Millennium Puzzle shimmered and shook over his chest.

"What's this?" the beast gasped, backing away from Yugi.

"YU-GI-OOOOOOOOOH!" Yugi shouted, his voice getting deeper and deeper. A flash of golden light and now Yami had taken its place.

"What devilry is this?" the beast shouted, seeing that someone quite different had taken Yugi's place.

"If it's a Duel you want, Grigoris. Then it's a Duel you shall have." Yami held up his wrist, transforming the ring on his finger into his own custom-made Duel Disk, updated with Seto Kaiba's latest innovation in holographic technology.

LP 8000

"Let's Duel!" Yami and Grigoris shouted.

"I shall begin first," Grigoris said, drawing his card with ease despite he had four claws. "I play the spell card, Foolish Burial. I send a monster from my deck to the Graveyard. Like so." He searched his deck, found the sacrifice, and put it in the discard pile. "Then, I shall summon Soul Tiger in defense mode!"

Grigoris laid the card down on his Duel Disk. The machine whirred and conjured the monster. A tiger with a flaming body and four large tusks coming from the lower jaw. It snarled and slashed a claw across the air to intimidate Yugi. (ATK/1800)

"Not bad," said Yami. "Your Flame Tiger will make it difficult to get to your Life Points."

"That's the idea," said Grigoris. "Your turn, dear guest."

Yami drew. "Then I shall start mine, dear host. I summon Gamma the Electromagnet Warrior in Attack Mode!" Yami placed his card on the field. The electromagnet warrior buzzed as he came into place. His body was so shiny, that it reflected everything around it on its surface, turning it from dull metallic gray to brown, gold, and white. (ATK/800 DEF/2000). "Now, I activate his effect and summon Alpha the Electromagnet Warrior (ATK/1700 DEF/1100) Now Alpha's effect activates, and I can draw a card. Next, I send Alpha and Gamma to the Graveyard to Link Summon, Missus Radiant!"

Yami summoned a very pompous-looking dog with shaggy, brown bur adorned with gold and jewels. He had a stuck-up look on his face. It let out an obnoxious, 'hump' and sat still on the Link Zone.

Missus Radiant

ATK/1400

LINK-2

"Now, I activate the spell card, Soul Charge. Now I get to summon monsters from my Graveyard, but at the cost of one-thousand Life Points for each one. Return, Alpha and Gamma the Electromagnet Warriors!"

The beast wrinkled his nose. He knew he was going to be in for a world of hurt. Link Monsters? He had never heard of such a thing before. And odd that Yugi would summon something like that puppy dog of all things.

What is that boy up to? What is that boy up to?

Yugi held out his hand dramatically. "And now, Grigoris, it's time you witnessed the power of my Missus Radiant!"

"Power?" laughed the beast. "What sort of power does that oversized fur ball have that can scare me?"

Yami smirked. "I expected you to know not to judge one by their appearance, Grigoris. Missus Radiant will increase the attack and defense of Earth monsters by five hundred points. Alpha, attack his Flame Tiger!"

Alpha made beeping sounds to show it complied with the order. It hovered towards the Flame Tiger and sliced it across the chest with his magnetic sword. The tiger roared and shattered like glass dealing 400 points of damage to Grigoris.

Yugi pointed at him. "Now, Gamma, attack his Life Points!"

Gamma zoomed toward the beast. It raised its fist, ready to strike him in the gut.

"I do not think so!" said the beast. "I pay one-thousand of my Life Points to summon a monster from the Graveyard. Behold, Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest!"

A gateway opened beneath the beast's feet. From it, emerged an ape-like creature in thick, heavy armor and wielding a massive wooden club made from a tree's trunk.

The Green Baboon howled once it was fully rendered on the field. Gamma stopped just in time. Green Baboon screeched and swung the trunk horizontally. Gamma hovered back, missing getting hit by the trunk by inches. At 2600 ATK, Gamma was no match for the creature. Even worse now since its points rose up to 3100 thanks to Missus Radiant, who affected ALL Earth attribute monsters.

"I think you won't," said Grigoris. "My turn, if you please."

"Very well," said Yami. "I end my turn."

"Good lad. Now, I will activate Graceful Charity, allowing me three cards for the price of two. Ah, very good. I have just the cards needed to ensure my victory tonight. Tell me, Master Yugi, have you ever heard of Treasure Cards?"

Yami grunted. Yes, it was a familiar term to him. A very familiar term. "Where did you hear that name?"

"You should know," sniggered the beast. "Prince Daveed's mother created them."

"You knew Lady Luthia?"

"No. But I knew all about her, though. I knew that Maximillion Pegasus hired her as a card designer for Industrial Illusions after she and Gabriel were married and kept safe from the wrath of House Delgado. She loved you very much, so I heard. Loved you like you were her own brother. Bah. She and Gabriel wanted you to be their House Carl, did they not?"

"Get to the point!" Yami said impatiently.

"The point is, Luthia knew you since the day you got that golden puzzle around your neck. She must have admired the way you were messing around with it all those years she knew you at school. So, she got the bright idea to create monsters that were built like the pieces of a puzzle. Pegasus loved the idea, unfortunately, there were many complaints from players who demoed the cards. They called the cards 'broken'. They were far too powerful. Pegasus cared not, players find ways to break the game. That's the art and beauty of the game. Every card has a way to get you out of trouble if you know how to use it."

"Wise words," Yami said with a smile. "It's rare I find a Duelist these days who understand that the cards are strong no matter what. And you Duel with honor."

"Thank you, dear guest," the beast said smiling. "Unfortunately, that bit of business in Karad Antha took place shortly after the cards were patented and ready for distribution. Luthia was obliterated before she could see her concept come to life."

"I know," said Yami. "The cards were going to be used as exhibition trophies for tournaments, but the caravan carrying them was attacked by Rare Hunters. The cards were never seen again."

"All, save for these two," said the beast holding up two cards with exquisite artwork and design. Their surface was covered in scrollwork and their images and text, usually outlined with a dull metal box, were beautifully encased in gold ornamental designs.

"Treasure Cards!" gasped Yami. "But how?"

"Lady Luthia was a lover of my music. Before I became the monster that turned me into a monster, I was a master piano player. The girls were what drove me mad. I was handsome as well as gifted with the art of music. They flocked from all around, Luthia included. When I first saw her, I felt like I had stumbled into a dream. A Celtra. As beautiful as the tales tell. I invited her to the west wing so we could speak on a more professional level. We talked for hours and hours, Yugi. And before she left, she presented me with these two cards. She promised they would change the game forever."

"Poor woman," said Yami, bowing his head sadly. "She was so sure of her invention."

"Indeed she was," replied the beast. "Let's see for ourselves if the King of Games can hold his own against one."

"Argh!" grunted Yami.

The beast held up his card. "Behold! I summon, Lutharia, the Wings of Beauty!"

The entrance hall faded away and turned into a lake in the middle of the forest at night. The full moon was peeking from behind the mountains, showering the world around it in brilliant silver. The black, glassy, waters of the lake sparkled like the stars above. In the center of the lake, a gorgeous white swan swam gracefully through the water, leaving gentle ripples in its wake. She had a symbol emblazoned on her chest in gold feathers which looked bright yellow amongst the white feathers that could make snow look gray.

Lutharia, the Wings of Beauty

ATK/2000 DEF/0

LV 4

"Ah, yes, perfect. And when she is placed on the field, I can pay five hundred of my Life Points to add the second piece of this card. From the shadows of the night, the lover soars into the embrace of his companion, forming a love that will conquer all. A love that will lead me to victory. Behold, Sideon, the Wings of Love!"

Yami heard the honk of another swan. A black one with a symbol emblazoned in red on his chest. The two swans swam together and arched their necks as they touched one another's heads. Their necks formed into the shape of a heart in front of the moon.

Sideon, the Wings of Love

ATK/0 DEF/2500

LV 6

"Now, the pieces are complete," the beast said, combining the two cards. Their images, when put together, formed an even bigger picture. Now that the two cards were together, the two swans honked and flew high above the lake. They hovered back to back. Lutharia was facing the beast and Sideon faced Yami.

"What are they going to do?" Yami asked.

"For the time being, nothing," the beast replied. "But for now, I will activate Monster Reborn to bring back a monster I discarded with my Graceful Charity. Rise, Ancient Crimson Ape!"

He conjured a fiery ape-like warrior covered in glowing red fur and adorned in stone armor and brandishing a sword of wood and stone. (ATK/2600 DEF/1800).

Yami countered the ape's summoning by sending his two Magnet Warriors away for another one. He switched them for Delta the Magnet Warrior (ATK 1600). The beast, though pleased that Missus Radiant also gave him a boost, was smart enough to know that it gave Yugi even more of an edge than he, so he attacked with Green Baboon.

The monster thumped his chest and slammed his club on the dog, flattening it and dealing massive damage to Yami's Life Points.

On his next turn, was at a loss. But his quick wits and ability to draw the right cards at the right time allowed him to Special Summon one of the strongest monsters in his deck. He offered Alpha, Beta, and Gamma the Electromagnetic Warriors as tribute to conjure Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior, a monster with an ATK of 3000.

Grigoris was not nervous, even with the Electromagna Warrior on the field, he was as calm as ever. Without wondering why, Yami went for the attack.

"Berserkion, the Electromagna Warrior, attack Green Baboon!"

Berserkion hovered over the ground and soared towards the ape. The sword cut deep through Green Baboon's thick armor. It hollered in pain before shattering.

Suddenly, the emblem on Sideon's belly started to glow. A red energy slithered from the spot where Green Baboon was slain. The energy went into Sideon's emblem. Then Lutharia honked and flapped her wing. The energy transferred from Sideon towards her and came out of the emblem on her chest as brilliant green. The energy then flew toward Grigoris.

"What is the meaning of this?" Yami shouted. "What are your swans doing?"

"Simple," Grigoris said with a toothy grin. His Life Points increased by 400 points, the amount of damage he was supposed to take.

"I can't be!" cried Yami. "Your swans absorbed the battle damage and converted it into Life Points."

"You are correct, dear guest," said the beast. "That is their special ability. So long as my swans are on the field, any battle damage I take will be turned into Life Points for me. Ah, yes, and Sideon gains attack points equal to the damage I would have taken. So now his attack points are at four hundred. You see, dear guest, Sideon, protects those he loves from harm. Alone, he cannot be targeted by card effects. And Lutharia's lovely wings heal those who have been harmed by the fell deeds of the world. She cannot be chosen to do battle and heals my Life Points by five hundred every turn. Separated, these Swans are strong. But together, in love, they are invincible. Now, their abilities merge into an even more powerful magic. Now, my swans share their abilities with one another and cannot be targeted for battle or be targeted by your card effects."

"This cannot be!" Yami gritted his teeth. "Every monster has a weakness, Grigoris. And I will find theirs."

"So you say," Grigoris said with a grin. "Oh, and by the way. When a monster I control is sent to the Graveyard, Ancient Crimson Ape increases my Life Points by one-thousand points!"

He is a worthy foe, Yami thought to himself. He knows every aspect of this game and can wield Luthia's Treasure Cards with great efficiency.

Just when Yugi thought it couldn't get any worse, it did. He summoned Magician's Valkyria and boosted her ATK with a spell called Mage Power, increasing her points by 500 for each Spell and Trap card on his side of the field. He had four, which increased her power to 3600. She attacked the Ancient Crimson Ape, but suddenly Simeon flew down from his spot and took the attack.

"What's this!" cried Yami. "The black swan intercepted my Valkyria's attack?"

"It's another of his special abilities," said Grigoris, feeling rather proud he was keeping Yugi Muto down through the Duel. Sideon defends the ones he cares about from harm. His love for them is so great, he will even sacrifice himself for the ones he loves. And remember, since he was sent to the Graveyard, my Ancient Crimson Ape increases my Life Points by another grand. Ah, but it's not over for you yet, once per turn, Lutharia can bring back a monster from my Graveyard."

Sideon flew out of the water, spraying droplets in all directions. They were caressed by the silver moon's light and sparkled in the air. Sideon flew back to his perch and connected with Lutharia, completing the puzzle once again.

"I don't believe this," Yami groaned. "I cannot do damage to him because of his swans. So long as they are connected as one complete puzzle piece, there is no doing damage to him. His Life Points will only increase. And now I have to worry about the black swan protecting his monsters. If he gets sent to the Graveyard, Grigoris' Ancient Crimson Ape will only increase his Life Points by more.

As hard as Yami tried to get by the abilities of the two swans, it was quite difficult. Grigoris would always bait Yami into attacking him by summoning weaker monsters. He knew that his desperation to end the game would get the better of him. And it was working, for the beast would activate Spells and Traps that would decrease his own monster's ATK to 0. The monster would be destroyed and then Simeon would absorb the damage, convert it into his own ATK points and then Luthania would turn the damage into healing magic to increase his Life Points.

Three turns went by and now Sideon stood at 4500 attack points and Grigoris had more than 10000 Life Points. Grigoris ordered Sideon to attack Magician's Valkyria. He honked and shot a laser from the emblem on his chest. Magician's Valyria screamed and shattered to pieces. Yami activated a trap card called Rainbow Life, so the damage he took was converted to Life Points instead, giving him one final chance.

Yami shivered. "Oh no. I'm trapped. Grigoris has created a very strong defense. Now that he's powered up his black swan, he's also got a powerful offense. But he's going to have to attack me sooner or later. This Duel can't go on forever and I have to find Princess Antoinette. Heart of the Cards…guide me." He drew. "All right, Grigoris. This card I drew made decided the outcome of this Duel. I activate Card of Demise. With this card, I can draw five cards, but I must discard them in five turns. I assure you, dear host, things will be quite different before then. I activate Polymerization, fusing together Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior with Valyrion the Magna Warrior. Merge together to become Imperion Magna the Superconductive Battlebot!"

Valkyrion and Berserkion broke into pieces, which combined to form a quadrupedal mech armed with a laser cannon on its back and a powerful sword.

Imperion Magna the Superconductive Battlebot

ATK/4000 DEF/4000

LV 10

"Impressive monster, Yugi," said Grigoris. "Very impressive. But I fear it won't be enough."

"We'll see about that," said Yami. "Imperion! Attack his Ancient Crimson Ape!"

Imperion let out a loud groan and galloped towards the ape. Naturally, Sideon came into play, blocking the attack and sacrificing himself.

"Good try, dear guest," chuckled Grigoris. "But I fear Sideon's departure will only be temporary. I will activate Lutharia's effect to bring him back from the…"

"No, you won't!" shouted Yami. "Imperion Magna's effect activates. He can negate the activation of you card effects and destroy them, so your swan is no more!"

Imperion Magna fired his laser cannon and blasted the swan, destroying her.

"MY SWANS!" shouted Grigoris. NO!"

Having lost his best combination and now having to deal with a powerful monster with 4000 ATK, Grigoris put his hand over his deck and surrendered. "You've won," he said humbly. "Not even my swans could grant me victory. You were a most worthy foe." He bowed.

Yami grinned. "You were a strong opponent, Grigoris. I hope we can Duel again one day."

He transformed back to Yugi. Grigoris rubbed his eyes, now seeing that Yugi had shrunk. Perhaps I had too much wine, he wondered. Nevertheless, he led Yugi to a table at a vast dining hall with tall walls of glass giving a panoramic view of the Marble Mountains and the forests spread across their feet. The sky had now turned a shade of purple and the stars were coming into full view. The three moons were now glowing brightly in their spots above the Mt. Geralt, the tallest mountain in the range.

"This way, please, dear guest," said the beast. "I invite you to relax and put up a chair."

"Thank you," said Yugi. Once he found his seat, he jumped back with a yelp as the luxury dinner chair yanked itself back to let him sit down. Yugi sat on the chair and braced itself as it scooted forward as though it had a mind of its own.

His host looked around the room as if waiting for someone. He then shouted: "Well, what are you waiting for? Light, if you please!" The beast clapped his hands and the candles on the table ignited at once, bathing the table in a soft orange glow. He looked to the ceiling and clapped again. The chandelier, covered in cobwebs, illuminated the dining hall as best it could.

The beast sat down on the royal purple throne at the head of the table and clapped his hands. Carts full of food rolled out of the kitchens and parked in a neat row beside the table. Little silver ramps lowered to allow the saucers, silverware, cups, gravy floats, salt shakers, sugar bowls, and wine bottles to march into place at the table.

"I'm impressed," said Yugi as a plate rolled his way and fell flat in front of him. A fork, knife, and spoon hopped his way and placed themselves neatly beside the plate.

The beast grinned at Yugi as the dinnerware got into place and then the food. Mashed potatoes in handsome floats of platinum marched after a silver platter bearing a handsome roasted hen seasoned with herbs and glazed in honey sauce and filled with cranberry stuffing. Bowls of soups from clam, chicken, and potato hopped off the carts and into their spots beside the candelabra.

"Your powers bring everything in the castle to life it seems," said Yugi. "You've had this ability for quite a while?"

"Oh, indeed," said the beast. "Beats having servants, doesn't it? Please, please, now is the time for eating. Let us discuss our personal matters when we have had our fill. Here we have glazed boar. This is sirloin cooked to perfection, I do not mean to boast, Heh, heh. Ah, and here we have swordfish. King crab. Ah, try the gray stuff."

"What is it?" Yugi asked.

"Well, it's…I do not know what it is. But it's delicious."

"I'll take your word for it," said Yugi, scooping up as much as he could and dumping it on his plate. "Anything else you'd recommend?"

"I recommend it all, dear guest," said the beast, ripping off the leg of a hen roast. He bit into it savagely and chewed politely before speaking. "Help yourself, of course, Master Yugi. Please. Be our guest."

---

A loud burp thundered across the glass dining hall. Yugi sighed, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his belly. "Sorry," he said, requesting an excuse for his bad manners. "It just happened."

"No, no, not at all," said Grigoris, patting his own fat tummy. "That was good eating. Can I treat you to some dessert, Master Yugi?"

Yugi grinned and waved his hand. "No, no thanks. Any more food and I'll burst. Believe me, you don't want to be around when that happens."

Pfft, Yami scoffed, standing above Yugi in spectral form. No. No, he most definitely won't.

Yugi jabbed his fork into one last piece of steak and put it in his mouth. "Now, Grigoris, tell me. What has become of the Princess? Shouldn't she be joining us for dinner or something? This is a really important matter, and I fear I don't have time for secrets. Is there something going on?"

The beast's smile faded. He leaned back sadly in his chair. "I suppose it's time I should tell you why Princess Antoinette is staying here in an enchanted castle owned by a hideous, monstrous, beast." He pointed to the hearth beside their table. "Look at those portraits, my dear guest."

"I am," Yugi assured him.

The beast nodded his head. He picked a seed from his teeth with his pinky claw before he explained who it was. "That handsome devil right there is me."

Yugi and Yami both gasped. They looked at each other.

"You're under a spell?" Yugi asked.

"A curse," the beast corrected him. "I was a spoiled boy, Yugi. A very, very spoiled boy. A long time ago, there was a town not far from my castle. Littell it was called. A little town, full of little people. Bakers, farmers, master craftsmen who furnished my castle, and smiths with such skill, one could call their work art. The cutlass you see on the wall above the fire was my tenth birthday present."

Yugi looked at the weapon. The thin blade was glimmering silver. The intricate guard was gold and not lacking in useless ornamentation inlaid with scrollwork and a few gems to make it glitter. It hung over the fire on a polished wooden plaque.

"I had used that sword for years and years until it happened. When I was seventeen, I had turned into somewhat of a brat." He grinned awkwardly when he saw Yugi's unconvincing glare from his chair. "Oh, who am I kidding? I was a bastard in every sense of the word, Master Yugi. The things I had done to women. My father had beautiful maids from Aurelia, Mondé, even Uzumé working for us. Per my request, I had them outfitted in these uniforms that didn't leave much to the imagination. I grew worse after the night when my father died. He left me to the Green Chair, the seat of power in this hold if you will. I was the lord of the castle and what I say went. They could not object. Every birthday, I demanded all the beautiful girls from the village to come to my castle for a party. Then, I demanded all the food from the farmers. The winters here in my castle were warm and jolly, while Littell fell in chaos. One day, my lust would prove to be the end of me. The boys and I made a gang. The Rich Kids of the Marble Mountains. We rode about the countryside, going into inns and playing a game of who could bed the most girls before I turned eighteen, it was the eve of my birthday, you see."

Yugi crossed his arms. The beast's ears dropped, for he could see the King of Games was horribly disappointed in him. He could not find it within himself to continue the story.

"Go on," Yugi said, rather calmly.

"Well, I reached a new low in my life," said the beast. "As the boys and I rode back to the castle, we heard singing coming from the river. A voice as rich as bells and soft as the water flowing in the river. We stopped. And then we saw her. A girl. A most beautiful girl. I had never seen such a finer specimen in my life. Her hair was like the sun made into silk, braided and adorned with colorful flowers. Even from atop my horse and standing a yard or two away, I could see her eyes glistening like little sapphires. And her curves, Yugi. Oh, she was perfect. Unable to control ourselves, the boys and I rode towards her. We demanded her time. She objected of course. I would not have that. It's the eve of my birthday. I wanted her, and I would not take no for an answer. So, I hopped off my horse and pushed her to the ground and I stripped her."

Yugi looked out the window, not believing what he was hearing. "Did you…"

"No. Not yet anyway. I forced her back on her feet and told her to run into the forest. We were going on a little hunt. If she escaped us, she would be free to go. If not, then she was ours. She ran. We got on our horses and chased her down. We hunted her like wild game. She ran very fast, but she did not get far. We surrounded her. She fell to the ground and begged for her purity to remain intact. Naturally, I did not listen. My pride, my lust, plus the thrill of seeing her naked and from the chase, I finally got what I wanted. My friends cheered for me. Cheering for me, the stupid little bastard that I was. The girl screamed. It was at that moment, that I noticed she was reaching for something. A crystal that was dangling on a chain around her wrist. I thought she was going to use it to stab me. To my shock, it was for herself. She jabbed the crystal into her throat and slit it from ear to ear with one quick swoop. The crystal was pink."

"Oh no," said Yugi.

"Yes. She was a Priestess of Ana. I had forced myself upon a follower of the Goddess of Love and Beauty. They must remain pure and untouched, or their connection with Ana will be forever ruined. Odd, considering Ana is the Goddess of love, beauty, wine, and sexual pleasure. But I digress. Once the life was gone from the girl, Ana herself came down from the heavens in a wave of red roses. She stood over me. Her beauty was so divine and so frightening. I could not explain. Ana is normally a just Goddess, but after what I did to one of her priestesses, she had a fiery gaze that could make Obelisk the Tormentor's grin look lovable. I got on my knees and begged her for forgiveness. She took a rose from her mantle and blew on it. The petals flew all around me. I felt a wind lift me from the ground. The petals spun faster and faster. Ana looked at me and said: Your lust has taken you down the path of darkness. You spoil the ultimate gift of love for sport, for anger, for pleasure. And now your treachery has not only defiled one of my followers, but it has killed her."

The beast swallowed. He looked at his empty plate and snapped a chicken bone with his finger. "And then, she sent more rose petals towards my friends. She pointed at them and shouted: Ye who spoil my gifts for the sake of their pride are swine. And she turned them into wild pigs. I can remember their squeals. They took off into the forest and I never saw them again. As for me, I was to get the worst of it. In an instant, I was turned into…into… a monster."

"Not even the word I would use for a man like you," said Yugi. "That would insult the cards."

The beast twiddled his thumbs. He knew Yugi was right. He sighed. "Yes, yes, you're right. Until I learned how to truly love, I will forever remain a beast for all eternity. I could not ask any of the maids. They all ran at the sight of me when I stepped through the doors. All the servants did. They abandoned the castle and never came back. I could not find anyone from the village either. They were wiped out by the Red Plague of 989. The traders stopped coming. No one came to listen to my music anymore. I was alone."

"So how long were you in this form?" Yugi asked.

"Too long," the beast replied. He sighed and sniffed. "Far too long. Years went by. The first few months were difficult for me. Having to adjust to living as a monster were the worst days of my life. I went on a rampage and destroyed all the furniture in the west wing. It was so bad, the towers caught fire and holes were made in the wall. It makes me shiver just thinking about those first few months. It was…it was the hardest time of my life. Soon, I grew used to being alone. Every once in a while, some fool who head the tale of the Beast in the Castle would come by and test his balls, or lack thereof; for as soon as I roared from the highest tower, they would run into the forest in such a fright. One day, a curious little man approached my home. He wasn't like the other would-be adventurers. There was something about him that I enjoyed. I couldn't figure out what it was. Perhaps, it was that he was a musician, too. His wagon was filled with all sorts of musical instruments. I suppose it brought me back to the days when I was a much nobler youth, playing my piano for the love of the art and not the girls. Anyway, I didn't show myself doing it, but I hosted him. I let the doors open and he waltzed right in. I ordered the castle to make him food and serve him a drink. I even made the candles show him the way to his room where a bed and some of my best clothes were waiting for him. The next morning, he made his way out and thanked me, even though he could not see me. I felt warm and happy for the first time in many years, seeing as how I had performed a good deed. But then…"

Yugi tilted his head to the side. "Then?"

"As you see, I have a rose bush out there with Galaxy Roses. Those flowers are very, very rare. There was only one place you could find them, and that was High Queen Evangelia Pendragon's garden. Those flowers were given to her as a sign of friendship between her and her Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon. My great-great-great-grandmother fought alongside her in the Waltz of the Dragon Queens. And as a small request, she asked for a few of the roses and some seeds so she could grow them herself. And it was given to her. That rose bush has been in my family for generations and generations. My mother would sing songs as she trimmed them. I would sit there playing with my toys, or tried to. My mother had such a beautiful voice, Yugi. It was her voice that made me find my love for music. When she died, I felt like the better part of me died with her, for I turned into the fool that turned me into the monster you see standing before you. Those flowers mean a great deal to me, so to see the merchant just walk to them and take one was a treachery far greater than this transformation. Those were my mother's flowers. I was not going to allow him to just take them."

"So you scared him off?" said Yugi, leaning back in his chair.

"Oh, yes, I did," said the beast. "I fell into a rage and jumped down to confront him. When he saw me, he begged for his life. He said he only wanted a few flowers for his daughter. That's when it hit me. Perhaps, this was my chance to break this horrible curse. So I roared: 'Your daughter for your life, you thief!'"

"Why would you ask the poor man for his daughter?" Yugi asked.

The beast asked Yugi to stand. They both walked away from the table towards a wall on the east side of the room. There were portraits there of five girls.

"Because, I thought for a moment, just a small moment, that this girl was my hope for breaking the spell. This was fate. The way I felt about the man when he first stepped in and his love for music. It had to be fate. The man sobbed for a long time, but he agreed. He would lend me his daughter for a year. I let him go, and many weeks later, I saw him approach with a wagon. There was a big sack of things back there and his daughter. A pretty little thing. She had red hair, and I mean red hair, and a braid so long, it coiled around her lap. I had to help him pack his things, he packed so much."

"And the girl?" Yugi asked.

The beast pointed to the first portrait. Yugi looked at the girl. Her hair was indeed red. Her face was sprayed with freckles, her lips were a glossy pink, and her eyes the color of lime.

"Did you paint these?" Yugi asked.

"Yes," the beast replied. "Randy was her name. She was traumatized by the sight of me, the poor thing. But as soon as I filled her father's bag with gold, precious stones, and rare cards, both she and him calmed down. For the first month, Randy locked herself in her room and sobbed. I left her carts and carts of food and treats for her, but she never went to get them. The food stood outside her door for so long, it started to fester. I could not let the poor child go hungry. I had to show her I wasn't some horrible monster out to get her. So, I started to sing songs for her outside her door. On the first day, she stopped crying. The next few days, nothing. But then, she eventually asked me if I could sing her songs to help her sleep. I grant her that request. One day, she comes out of her room. She and I eat at the same table and took long walks and sang songs together. I grew fond of her. She liked me, too, but not in the way I wanted her to. She did not love me. We were just friends. So, the year ends. Her father returns ready to take her. I told him to spread the word to anyone willing to lend me their daughters for the year. Sure enough, months later, another merchant came with a pretty daughter."

He walked toward the next portrait. This one is of a girl sitting on a stone bench with a bush covered in Galaxy Roses behind her. She had one at her fingertips. Her hair was long and colored chestnut with a touch of gold on the tips. She wore an elegant black gown and a necklace of diamonds twinkled around her neck. She stared into Yugi's eyes. A faint smile on her lips.

"Ah, this one," said the beast. "Her name was Nina."

"She was an Aurelian?" said Yugi, recognizing the name.

"Indeed," replied the beast. "On her mother's side, of course. She was a poet and songwriter. Her father was a professor from the university and a librarian in the Termnnian Archives. Katina is where she was born. And I could tell. She was very bright and very adventurous. Oh, Goddesses, she had a love for books. In fact, aside from some extra clothing and a hairbrush, her trunks, bags, and sacks were filled with an entire library's worth of books! And you wouldn't believe me if I told you, Yugi, but Nina wasn't scared when she first saw me. After I paid her father, she and I went for a long walk at the foot of the mountains. We talked and talked until the sun went down. She comes from a noble house that once served as stewards to House Balor. But that was the last in-depth interaction I had with her. She spent most of her time in her room reading. I made things worse when I showed her my library because she sat there all day long. Read, read, and read. Reading all day long. She read as she supped. She read as she bathed. She read as she walked. She read as she slept. Are you laughing?"

"No," Yugi replied, clamping his mouth shut to hold back a yawn.

"Well, then. I suppose I can continue. She had such a fascination for the tales of Norman the Conqueror. She said one day she wanted to lead an archeological expedition to find his lost relics. If there is a person out there you want to find with information on Narmondülus Elliartum, Nina was your girl. She even bore his sigil around her neck. Needless to say, the Yeyunists in her community were not too fond of that. Anyway, one night, I decided enough was enough. As she was sleeping, I brought the bookshelves to life, and they marched out of her room and locked themselves in the library which I had sealed shut with chains. Nina was furious. I challenged her to a Duel. If she wins, she keeps the books. If she loses, I burn them."

He looked at Yugi, who had a surprised look on his face. "Well, I didn't pay her father a substantial amount of gold just to watch her read all day, did? So, we played. Ha! Her skills were masterful."

Yugi smiled, putting his hands behind his head and leaning back. "She beat you?"

"And how," replied the beast. "She beat my symphonic warriors with her True King deck. I had never seen someone play like that before. She never every card in her deck and how to use them. I lost, but the Duel was great fun. During the wintertime, Nina became a little more engaged with me. In fact, we had a snowball fight in the fields not far from the lake. It did not end well. I threw a ball the size of a bowling ball at her face and knocked her out cold. She was sour with me, but not for a long time. She was good fun, and a fine warrior if you can believe that. We ran into a bit of trouble. Come spring, a huntsman and his gang of bandit knights stormed to the gates. It appears the lad was her admirer. And when he heard his love was in the hands of a beast, he went mad. He came for my head. But Nina took care of the situation. Her affinity for Norman the Conqueror shone true that night. She took a sword from my armory and she summoned two warriors to aid us. A Kanan the Swordmistress and Neo the Magic Swordsman. She and her two fighters stormed into the courtyard, and slew them all. Nina took the huntsman's head and tossed it into the lake. Imagine that. A scholar and a warrior. Sadly, our time together came to an end. She was not the one to break the spell. We only communicated via letters for some time until I learned she married a young prince from the Tropic Kingdoms by the name of Ser Lancelot de Bourbon the Knight of the Ocean. After that, I never heard from her again."

They walked to the next portrait, displaying a rather chubby girl with platinum locks and ribbons in her hair.

"Francesca Tarbon, is this one. She didn't stay with us for too long. Her father was in dire straits with The Big Five. Owed them a loan of fifty-thousand gold. So, he sent his girl down here for a year in exchange for some gold to pay off his debt. The girl was not very pleased with me, though. Even after a few months in my company, she screamed and ran at the sight of me. She allowed me to paint her portrait though. That was the last night I saw her alive. We got a dove bearing a message that her father had fallen behind in the loans. The Big Five sent their 'pet' to his hold. The beast burned it all to the ground. None survived. Francesca was so distraught that she hung herself in her room. Since I had no knowledge of her kin, I buried her under the tree where she would sit and have her tea and cakes in the afternoon, playing with the cups and cutlery who would sing and dance for her to cheer her up."

He waved a hand, brushing off the experience, and then walked to a portrait of a girl lying naked on a bear-skin run in front of the fireplace. She had a seductive smile as she looked at the two men. Her eyes were focused and full of lust. Her curled reddish-orange hair flowed over the left side of her face and a ponytail swirled over her shoulder. Her chin rested on the palm of her hand.

"Oh…" said Yugi, his face going red.

"Ah," Grigoris said, clapping his hands. "Axel Clementine. A fiery one she was. Literally. She was a fire mage. She came her on her own accord. I kid you not, she flew in on a Crimson Sunbird. Those creatures are rare indeed. Judging by her more modern attire, I guessed she came from the city streets of Domino. She said she would stay with me for the year if I paid her a king's ransom in gold. Well, you know me. I was desperate to break the spell, and I won't lie, she wore a top that barely covered her belly and pants that hung so low I could see the rose tattoo on her pelvis. I wanted this one real bad, Yugi."

"I don't blame you," said Yugi. "She's hot. Ah? Ah?"

The beast laughed, slapping Yugi hard on the back. "Agreed. So, I let her in. Axel was a lover of music, but hers was awfully strange. I heard people screaming, and mumbling. Yo, yo, yo, diggity-dog, yo diggy-diggy-diggy dog. Are you laughing?"

"No," Yugi said, trying to keep a straight face.

"Well, she was a bit of a livewire and a true test of my change of character. She always talked about the things that made her amorous. What she loved doing at these places where there is loud music and heavy drinking. And what she liked putting in herself. She was…an explorer so to speak. I wanted to find out what it was like to have a relationship with someone as beautiful as me. She had no sense of shame, I'll tell you that. She liked to walk around the castle in undergarments that you, sir, could have mistaken for dental floss. And she'd be shirtless sometimes, too. She never blushed and she never hid if I ever came in. She just smiled at me. Yugi, I swear, I could feel the animal in me writhing in its cage. It had been far too long since I have had an amorous relationship with a girl, especially one as fine as Axel. She showed me her collection of handguns and rifles to explain to me that swords and bows are now a thing of the past. Some of them were so powerful they blew holes into thick trees. I knew better than to try anything with her. Bad enough I had to worry about her singeing me to death, but now I had to worry about her guns. She put them to good use on a group of bandits who came to loot my castle of its treasures. I donned my armor and she rode on top of me naked and shooting molten fireballs from her hands and drinking rum. We sure scared them off. But, as always, our time came and went. Even though she was a licentious little creature, Axel never saw me the way I did her. I fear she wasn't as bold as I hoped she would be."

Finally, they stopped at the final portrait.

"Oh!" cried Yugi. "That's her! That's Princes Antoinette! Don't tell me her father sent her down here, too."

"He did," replied the beast. He had run into some financial troubles, what with most of his subjects running about killing each other for their daughters. Seems like every girl in Termnnia wants a piece of Prince Daveed, eh? Or Yuri as they're calling him now. Which is it?"

"Whatever you prefer,"Yugi answered. "But tell me, Grigoris. Where is she? I need to see her at once. This is an urgent political matter. One that could decide the fate of the entire continent. You have to tell me where she is."

Grigoris sighed and slid a paw down his face. He scratched his ear. "Did they ever tell you about her special ability, Yugi?"

"I didn't know she had any."

"Antoinette is no ordinary girl, Yugi. She can polymorph, meaning she can change into a certain form. Yes, yes, I know many here can do such a thing. But, tell me, how many people do you know who can polymorph into a dragon."

"What!? A dragon? Antoinette can turn into a dragon?"

"When she came here, Yugi, she was quick to show me her ability. She took me for a ride over the mountains. Goddesses, it had been years since I've seen the countryside, but to see it from the back of a dragon? I felt like my whole life was changing. Just like Nina, she was not afraid of me and was quick to be friends. She was so beautiful. So magnificent. My love for her was greater than all the other girls put together. I just had to marry her. I wanted her to be the one. Within the next few weeks, I asked her to marry me. I told her about the spell. About what I did. She agreed my punishment was just deserved, but I was too kind and a changed man. She agreed to marry me. But the curse was not broken the night of our marriage. I was so stupid, Yugi. Antoinette didn't marry me out of love. It was out of pity. The spell knew of this and cursed her as well. The poor girl lost control of herself, tore her wedding dress off and ran into the forest. Seconds later, the Eclipse Wyvern you no doubt have seen on the way here, flew over the mountains. The first few days, Yugi, I could still see the human in her. She cried. She cried for hours. She knew she was locked in her monstrous form. But then, everything that made her human started to slowly disappear. She began to grow more and more monstrous. She started hunting animals and living in the mountains. Yugi, I fear that every day she stays in that form, she becomes more and more dragon-like. And I fear it is my fault."

"No it isn't," Yugi assured him. "Something tells me that this has nothing to do with the curse Ana bestowed upon you. It's unlike her to punish those who don't deserve it. Maybe she did marry you out of pity, but within that pity there is generosity. There is love because she thought you were worth saving. Ana rewards people who show that much compassion, not punish them. You know what I think, Grigoris? I think there is more to this curse. I have this sneaking suspicion that there is Shadow Magic at work here."

The beast turned his head. "Goddesses! You are sure?"

"Positive," said Yugi. "The stories you have told me. I find it odd that all these lovely young ladies formed such a bond with you and ended things so suddenly. Like your relationships with them were doomed from the start. They always ended in misfortune. And that priestess. I have a feeling that somewhere out there, there's a banshee. The banshee of that girl you defiled many years ago. I've dealt with them before when I hunted monsters with Prince Daveed's father a long time ago. She still feels animosity against you for what you did. The banshee of that girl is still out there cursing your life. Be it sympathy or not, Antoinette cared enough about you to love you. Even if that wasn't going to break the spell Ana put on you, it should not have cursed her, too. We've got to find that monster at once! Maybe then it will break Antoinette's spell."

"What are we waiting for?" said the beast. "Let's go!"

---

"Is she even here?" Yugi wondered, treading carefully through the Eotarma leaves that sprinkled the ground. The golden rays of the setting sun peered through the ruby red leaves above him, decorating the forest like glimmering tinsel.

It's been too long, far too long. Days had passed since he and Grigorios left the castle and searched for Ana, who was cursed to take the form of an Eclipse Wyvern. You'd think spotting a dragon would have been an easy task, but not this creature. Eclipse Wyvern was a creature that had stealth capabilities, and it was that fact alone that was making Yugi very frustrated. Of all the dragons for the princess to turn into, it had to be one with stealth. Every now and then, he and Grigoris would see a streak of black and red soar over them, find the half-eaten carcass of an elk or the bones of dire wolves, even a roar or two coming from the mountains, but by the time they raised their heads up, they saw a flash of red and then silence.

"She's probably lost her mind right about now," said Yugi. "It's been many days now. I fear Princess Antoinette is gone."

"There is still hope," Yami insisted. "There is always hope."

"Hope, huh?" Yugi said, ducking under a branch. The red, gold, and orange leaves brushed against his hair. "I hope we can find these two beasts we're looking for. We don't even know if there is a banshee out there."

"Something has a foul grip over these lands," Yami answered. "I felt great sorrow the moment we came here. Sorrow, anger, and evil. No, there is a banshee out there cursing these lands."

"Maybe we'll have a better chance in finding it now that it's Eotarma," said Yugi, referring to the Elvish name for the month of October. It translated to, Month of the Spirits. It was often said that the dead rise and walk the land during this month. Travelers and merchants often reported strange lights coming from the forests or the ruins of ancient castles as they walked the roads. The graveyards would get covered in fog and moans and groans would often be heard coming from them.

It brought a glimmer of hope for Yugi. Perhaps this cursed month would have some effect on the banshee, maybe even the Eclipse Wyvern. He had to find them now. He spent way too much time here in this forsaken forest. He wanted to get on his horse and leave, but Grigoris and Antoinette needed his help. Then again, so did a great deal many others. What of Prince Michael? Had he and Jeayoung already gathered forces and sailed to Akuuda to aid Marcel in fighting back Naralia? What of his friends in the Storm Coasts? Had Serenity gone on her quest to find that 'special item' for Yuri? And Avi? Did she sail safely to Termnnia? Was she even here yet. Most importantly, what news of Yuri?

"Stay focused!" said Yami, feeling Yugi's impatience. "I know there are a lot of people counting on us, but this is a task we must complete, Yugi. Antoinette is an important piece on the board right now."

"The Queen, eh?" Yugi asked, peering from the corner of his eye back at Yami. He walked another few paces before he stopped and turned to look at him. Yami stood tall and strong before him, even though he was so translucent, Yugi could see the forest and the mountains right through him like a window.

"Another pawn in your game," he said impatiently. "We don't even know if Yuri is going to approve of her. For Horakhty's sake, Spirit, we don't even know if he'll approve of his new life here." He hopped over a fallen tree. His boots crunched the leaves when he landed. He grunted and stood back up. "All the places we could have hidden him. Grandopolis. The flying fortresses of Dun Harth, Duelist Kingdom; anywhere! No, we had to put him in another world. Eighteen years, Yuri has grown up not knowing he's to be High King. Not knowing the kingdoms he's supposed to rule even exist. We shouldn't have to be doing this. He should be on the throne by now."

Yami sighed. Yugi pushed a branch out of his way and stomped toward an open field. "It doesn't work that way," said Yami. "How many times must I tell you? There was no other choice. We couldn't keep him here in Termnnia. It wasn't safe. There are people here who would sell Yuri out for a gold Star Chip. And there is no hiding from Denethon and the Sisterhood. And I could not sit idly by and watch as those corrupted lords from all those Houses squabbled to see who could keep him. House Dragonheart. House Alteria. House Goldenpenny. Do you think either of them were good choices to be Yuri's family? I would have hated to see how they would taint Yuri. They didn't want to care for the boy out of the kindness of their hearts. They just wanted the Diamond Throne. Yuri is pure of heart, Yugi."

"Not anymore," Yugi retorted. "Or have you forgotten what Bakura turned him into?"

"He's changed," Yami countered. "Slifer saw to that. He blasted the evil out of his heart. Blasted Bakura out of him."

Yugi stomped his foot on the ground. "You said it was going to be safe! So how did Bakura find him then? How did Bakura get so close to Yuri that he could taint his heart and mind? It just proves that your plans are not as foolproof as you think they are, Spirit. I want to trust you. I really do, but nothing we do seems to be working. Why can't we bring Yuri him now?"

"Now you've forgotten the decree set up by Antilles?" Yami spat, getting annoyed with Yugi's impatience and doubt. And Ignorance.

He knew politics bored Yugi, but not to the point where he would be oblivious to everything that's going on. He balled his fists, doing everything he could to keep from shouting at his host.

"Yuri cannot come home until he is declared the champion of Kaiba's tournament next summer," he said, to which Yugi rolled his eyes. Yami continued anyway. "The Senate wants to see if he is a capable Duelist. Like it or not, but the requirements of being High King is being a champion or a Master Duelist. Yuri has to hold his own in a Duel, or someone could use the Dueling Pact to challenge him out of the crown. If that happens, all our work would have been for naught. All these years of planning would be wasted. All the people who died to keep him secret and safe. Their sacrifice would have been for nothing. As for how Bakura was able to get to him, I don't know. But it's clearly obvious he has his own agenda with Yuri, and it does not involve killing him. He would have killed Yuri by now if that was his intent. Something tells me Bakura wants him alive."

"For what purpose?" Yugi asked.

"I don't know," Yami answered.

"Then how do we stop him!?" Yugi cried out. His voice echoing across the forest.

Yami's eyes widened. He let out a soft gasp and took a step backward. He looked at Yugi, standing upright to make himself seem taller. His fists were balled up, chest up, and head held high. His eyes flashing with impatience. Even the birds stopped singing to give the two of them a moment; as if they, too, were waiting for Yami to give his response.

Yami smiled at the boy. "We will find a way, Yugi. Remember, Yuri is the Terretar. The God Caller. He will..."

"LOOK OUT!" Grigorios shouted, jumping out of the trees and tackling Yugi to the ground.

Yugi yelled in surprise as he flew through the air with the nearly eight-hundred pound beast on top of him. They landed on the ground with a thud. Yugi's face twisted in agony and he groaned, feeling the weight of the monster press down on him and flattening his lungs. Through the mass of dark brown fur, Yugi saw the white and red wings of the Eclipse Wyvern soar over him. Then the tail until it slithered out of few. The calmness of the morning was broken by its loud screech. At long last, the monster had found them. Princess Antoinette had arrived at last. But it had been too long. Yugi knew now that the princess was more dragon than human now. The way she attacked them so quickly and so violently. It was primal. It was beastly. She was hunting now, and she was not picky about who or what would serve well for breakfast. What hurt Yugi the most was that she was so far gone that cared not to differentiate friend from foe. Antoinette was gone, he thought sadly, only this wyvern remained.

He heard Yami's voice burning in his brain. "Get up! Get up!" Yugi felt a powerful force overtake his legs and his arms. Yami wanted to take control. "It's not too late!" He heard him say. Yugi knew better than to argue with him at a time like this. And most of all, he wanted to relieve himself of the weight of the monster on top of him. So without question, Yugi allowed Yami to take control of his body. Yami felt himself come alive as his form took over Yugi's flesh and bone. He grew taller and stronger. And he felt like a great weight was crushing him. He came into the world moaning and groaning.

"Grigorios, get off!" Yami shouted.

The beast did, and he picked up his bronze spear. "Come, Yugi! She goes this way! I smell a foulness in the air. A scent I haven't picked up since..." He dashed into the forest, roaring and smashing small trees into the ground.

Yami picked himself up from the ground, drew his sword, and ran after Grigorios. He saw Antoinette flying above the trees, snarling and barking at the challenge Grigorios issued from below. The wyvern gave out a hellish shriek and circled back towards them. Grigorios lifted his spear and shut one eye as he took aim at the monster approaching them. When Antoinette got close enough he threw the spear up, made a quick jump, spun, and kicked it with all his might, launching the missile as fast as a bullet. It pierced her left wing. Antoinette gave a shriek. She tilted from left to right; her tail whipping violently. It struck Grigorios in the chest as she flew over him. He felt his bones rattle from the impact. He fell to the ground with a thud and rolled to a stop.

"Are you all right!" Yami cried out to him. Grigoris responded with a thumbs up; a short one, for his arm collapsed to the ground a second later. He grunted as he lay in the grass to recover from the blow he took. Yami looked at Antoinette. She tried to keep flight, but she crashed into the trees.

"Princess!" he shouted. He dashed towards the trees to see to her, but the wyvern stirred; her wings still flapping, still having the strength to keep her in flight. Using what little he knew of his Millennium Puzzle, Yami channeled its powers. A glowing Wdjat burned on his forehead as a golden aura formed around the Millennium Item. He hoped his touch would release her from her curse. She raised her head up, hearing Yami's footsteps. She charged a glowing blue energy breath. Yami stopped, wondering what move to make next, for in the next few seconds his ashes would be flying through the air.

Just before Antoinette released her attack, Grigoris jumped from behind him and tackled her neck. He held her down with all his might. He roared and snarled, pressing his weight down against her neck and locking his powerful arms around her jaws to keep her from unleashing her breath attack or snapping at them with her teeth. Her tail still whipped around; one hit from that and it would break many bones in Yami's body. He approached carefully. "DO IT NOW!" shouted Grigoris. He was strong but he felt he could not contain the dragon's strength any longer.

Yami quickened his pace, then darted into a sprint. Suddenly, he stopped. The air grew horrible cold. He could see his breath in the air. Frost began to coat the grass and the leaves in a shimmering blanket of white. His hands were burned from the cold. He felt himself shivering. Even the trees began to show their discomfort for the oncoming evil that was manifesting itself in the darkness. They moaned and quaked. The leaves fell from them like rain until they were stripped bare, dead as winter.

A being, radiating a ghoulish green glow, slowly hovered in the clearing. She was clad in a white robe that was falling off, showing off her rotten corpse and even the white of her bones. Though her face was partially decayed, there was still some beauty left in it. White-green eyes stared at Yami, burning into his soul. He could feel her sorrow slithering inside her. Her pain. Her thirst for revenge against the injustice that was done upon her. He saw tears glittering down her cheeks. Her face twisted in eternal sorrow.

She let out a cry which sounded more like a song of great sorrow. It filled Yami's soul with sadness than fear. Thanks to Grigoris, he knew why she was like this. Doomed to walk the earth for eternity as a malevolent being bringing misfortune upon all she met. It was not what she wanted. She just wanted to pick flowers for the temple. She wanted to go back to her friends and enjoy the merry feasts in the grand halls of the High Priestess. She wanted to grow old and die in peace. She had dreams and aspirations of her own which would never be fulfilled due to the evil Grigoris and his friends inflicted upon her that night.

"I am sorry," Grigoris said, looking at her. "I am sorry for everything. I was a monster for what I did to you that night. Please, find it in your heart to forgive me. You will never find peace until you do. You will never cross into the great halls of Ana if you remain in this form forever. Please, don't fight us. Please!"

The banshee did not care for his apology. She let out an ear-piercing shriek. The birds took off into the air by the thousands. Yami yelled and fell to his knees, covering his ears with his hands. Blood dripped from his nose. His eyes twitched and he ground his teeth while enduring the pain her cry was causing. Grigoris roared and rolled on the ground covering his ears. He could take the screeching no more and ripped them off instead. He could take it no more. Antoinette wailed and twitched on the ground until she passed out.

The banshee stopped screeching and hovered to where Grigoris lay. She held out her bony hands and lifted him up into the air with telekinesis. Grigoris lost control of his body. He grunted and sobbed. "What's the matter?" The banshee said in a sickly, high-pitched voice. "Do you not want to fuck me anymore?" Her jaws widened until they touched her chest. A long, slimy tongue wriggled out of her mouth. "Do you not wish to make love to me, beast?"

"STOP!" Yami shouted. He threw his enchanted blade at her. She heard the sword singing through the air and turned. Direct hit! The sword pierced her chest. The magic steel burned her. Green flames burst from the wound, searing her from the inside. She screeched and tumbled backward. Grigoris fell to the ground, weakened. The death touch of a banshee drained one of life, and he had been near her for too long. Yami drew another sword out and hurried towards him. The banshee rose back up and knocked Yami back with a powerful force push, sending him flying into the grass.

The banshee cackled and pulled the sword out of her chest. The flames dispersed. She looked at the sword and threw it on the ground. The power of being amongst the undead. It was unlike anything she ever felt before. She felt invincible, especially if magical blades proved nothing against her. She returned to torturing Grigoris again, lifting him high and sticking her wriggling tongue into his mouth, sucking all the life force from his body. His fur turned gray. His horns started to whither. He was dying.

"NO!" Yami shouted.

WHACK! The banshee was tossed aside by the swing of a powerful tail. Antoinette rose up from the ground, snarling. She pulled the spear out of her injured wing with her teeth and snarled.

"Traitor!" the banshee shrieked. "I give you the form of a dragon and this is how you repay me!?"

"That was not what she wanted!" shouted Yami. "You turned her gift into a curse. She loses herself because of your need for revenge."

"Listen to him, priestess," groaned Grigoris. "She had nothing to do with this. It's me you want. Not her."

"I will drain you both and become a great sorceress! These mountains and all the dark things living in them will bow to my power!"

Yami held out his hand. He summoned Dark Magician to come to his aid. He flew towards her, stopped just a few inches from her face, and spun his staff. He pointed his weapon at her and blasted her with his Dark Magic Attack. She screeched and fell to her knees, steam billowing off her body. It started to dawn on her that she wasn't as powerful as she thought she was if Yami could summon powerful creatures into battle like this. Perhaps if she swallowed his life essence, she would gain his power, too. She dug deep into her will and released a blast of green energy that knocked Dark Magician back. Yami stood up, held out his hand, and summoned Dark Magician Girl, who came flying out of a pink glyph. She spun and pointed her staff at that banshee, burning her with her own dark magic spell. Yami took a special Spell Card from his pocket.

Knight's Title.

He held it up and activated it, turning his Dark Magician into the Dark Magician Knight.

His purple robes turned into knightly armor with a long black/red cape, and his staff formed into a magical sword. Dark Magician Girl touched the sword and gave it enough power for it to start glowing. Magical runes shined down the length of the blade. Dark Magician Knight raised up his blade. Glyphs spun around it. He ran towards the banshee and struck her in the chest with the sword.

"Go now! Be at peace!" Yami said. "I release you from your curse!"

And just like that, the banshee gave out one final cry. But, she did not seem at all saddened. Her face twisted into a smile. She had been saved by someone with enough power to counter the curse of the goddesses themselves. An Eyar. The Angels of Horakhty. And the most gracious of them all.

So powerful was Yami's sense of forgiveness and friendship, that even creatures such as she would find the time to repent. And she did as these were her final moments as a cursed creature. Slowly, the flesh in her body began to mend itself. She became more and more beautiful. Her hair, once white as death, had a golden glow. Her eyes took the color of oceanic blue, and her lips took the color of glossy peach.

Dark Magician Knight took his sword out of her chest and sheathed it on his back. The priestess smiled at them both. She gave a nod as a ray of light shined down on her. She raised her arms and was lifted into the heavens. She dispersed, turning to glimmering lights that sailed farther and farther into the sky until it was gone from sight. The wind blew, telling the world that another soul had found her peace. She was gone.

But Grigoris was unchanged. He lay there on the ground, dying. Yami hurried to him. He attempted to heal him, but Grigoris grabbed his wrist with a vice-like grip. "No," he breathed. "Leave me. I have paid for my sins. She is at peace now. You have given her release. And now, my death will grant her justice. And look. Look there."

Yami turned and saw Antoinette lying on the ground, no longer as a dragon. A blanket of red and white, matching the pattern of her form as an Eclipse Wyvern as draped over her body. Her long, chestnut-colored hair waved gracefully in the wind. She was sleeping as though she were warm in her bed. Yami went for her, but he was locked in Grigoris' grip. "And spoil her beautiful dream," he chuckled. "Leave her. Take her back to my castle. No doubt with the spell broken, my servants won't be as lively as they once were."

"Grigoris," said Yami.

"Say no more, Master Yugi. I have paid for my mistakes." His tusks vanished. His ears, though ripped, began growing rounder. "There are now fewer monsters in this world. I have...I...I..." He started losing his claws. His snout became a round nose. His teeth were growing duller and duller. Fur molted away revealing patches of caramel-colored skin. "Wha...what's this...what's happening?" Yami stepped back and unclasped his cape, tossing it over the shoulders of the naked, handsome, well-built, man in front of him.

Grigoris examined his hands. He had five fingers now. He held his fingers over the area where his snout had once been. He felt nothing but air. He slapped his hands on his face. He gasped. His touch informed him of a strong chin, a slender neck, a round nose, cheeks, and lips. He looked down and saw slender legs with feet and five toes. No more did he have paws or a long tail.

He slid his hands down his head. He no longer felt the round dome of his beast skull. Just the smooth circumference of a human head. And he no longer felt his horns.

He laughed. "I...I don't understand. Yugi! How did...? But why? Why didn't I...how is this possible?"

"Stand up, my friend," said Yami. "Up, up."

"How is this possible?" He said, touching his face with his hands.

"Ana has blessed you with a second chance," said Yami. "Your curse is broken. You have shown great courage and were willing to give your life for this young woman here," he held his hand toward Antoinette sleeping peacefully. "Every fairy tale has to have a happy ending, you know."