The Red Sparrow Duelist
"Bah, them bloody bells!" spat a man clad in leather armor and cloaked in a smelly brown cape. "They'll be ringin' for hours. Ringing' for that little pipsqueak."
"Ah, let 'em cheer for the little bloke," said his companion, a skinny fellow next to him also armored in leather. "Let 'em have a good time. You know as well as I wot's gonna happen to them tonight." He laughed.
"O' aye, too right, mate. Ah, it's gonna be a massacre." He smacked his large, hairy, hand on the counter to get the barmaid's attention. She jumped in fright, almost dropping her mug.
"What?" she asked. She was young but was so tall, even taller than they were. Her knees could be seen even over the counter.
"Oy, lovely, more of that Blue Mountain ale here on the double," said the bigger thug.
"You've had enough already," the barmaid said. "It's too early in the morning to be drunk, gentlemen. Please, we must show restraint. The Grand Maester is here in the city. Do you know what that means?"
"Aww, a religious girl," said the skinny thug. "I love religious girls. They're so sweet. So pure."
"Because of his presence, the Goddesses are watching over us right now," the barmaid continued. "We must show restraint. It's a special day. A holy day. They have blessed us with a great hero and a new High King. We must show respect."
"How's about I teach you a little respect!" said the bigger thug. "I want some ale. Now b'fore I put you over me knee!"
"Mother!" the barmaid called, clutching on one of her long braids in fright.
"Aww, callin' on your mommy now are we?" said the skinny thug.
The chatter of the other patrons died down. The inn shook with loud footsteps. The two men clad in leather sat where they were, heads down in fear as the girl's 'mother' no doubt lumbered her way towards them. They heard what sounded like the growl of a beast and smelled the scent of licorice perfuming the air.
"There be a problem gentlemen?" the girl's mother asked.
The two men turned and saw a wall of blue with white lace trim all over it, accented with white polka dots. It didn't take them long to realize they were looking at the woman's apron. They looked up and saw her face, round and red with fury. Her hair was tied into a messy bun with the tooth of a sea serpent she killed being used as a hairpin. Both men gulped. Now they began to realize why the back doors to the establishment were so tall and wide. Now they understood why the ceiling was so high up. And now, they definitely knew why the girl tending to them was so tall. They were giants. And the fact that they came from the Highlands of the Termnnian Isles made them even more dangerous. Lords all across the lands often used them as bodyguards keeping watch over their treasures.
"Well, wot be goin' on here?"
"That awful man threatened to put me over his knee mama!" the young giant girl whined.
Her mother flashed her teeth, which were as big as meat cleavers. "Is that so?" she said. She grabbed both men by the hoods of their cloaks and then tossed them out into the streets. "And stay out!" Bloody blasphemers! Oh, and If I catch ya anywhere near me daughter, I'll toss ya over the wall!" She slammed the door.
"Ooga-booga!" the larger man taunted her mimicking an ape.
They heard someone laughing at them. They both turned their heads at once toward the entrance to an alley near the butcher shop where the cows and pigs were led to be slaughtered. There was a hooded man standing there in beautiful black armor detailed in fine craftsmanship. There were two red birds emblazoned on the chestplate. He cut an apple in half and bit into it. "I've been in this business for years and I've never seen the likes of you two. Threatening the life of the High King in the very city of Rassay. And then harassing the daughter of a Giant. You two are a whole new breed of stupid aren't you?"
"Well 'oo do we 'ave here!" said the big thug.
"No, stop!" said his skinny friend. "Those red birds on his chest. That can only mean one thing."
The big thug gulped. "Wot? No. A Red Sparrow! The king's special forces from the Royal House of Intelligence, right?"
"Yeah, we better run while we still can."
"There is no running from us. As we speak, we have you surrounded."
"Where?" the big thug said looking around. "I don't see anything or anyone! You're bluffin',"
"You sure about that? You want to take that chance?" The two men stayed quiet. "No, I didn't think so. What was all that talk about a massacre? Are you planning some sort of attack?"
"How'd you know about that?"
"It's unwise to plot against the High King in this city. He has ears and eyes in all places."
"Ha!" laughed the skinny one. "Yeah, you caught us. The baby bastard ain't gonna live long. How fortuitous that he was born on Eotarma, the Month of the Dead. We're just lending him a helping hand into the great beyond. Think about it. We're performing a good deed. We're reuniting the little insect with his parents."
He and his big comrade laughed. "O' aye. There is something going on 'round here but you're talkin' to the wrong guys. We're not part of the attack."
"Those Wdjats on your foreheads tell me otherwise. You two are from the Cult of Anubis."
"Yeah, but we're not taking part in the attack," said the skinny thug. "A special group is tasked in that matter, but don't think we'll tell you who they are."
The Red Sparrow held up his hand and bent his fingers forward two times. The skinny man let out a cry of agony, for he felt intense pain on his foot. An arrow with red fletching impaled it to the ground.
"I would rather things not get violent on this blessed day. So, why don't we have a Duel?"
"A Duel?" said the big thug.
"Yes. Under the terms of the Dueling Pact. I win, you tell me about this massacre you claim is taking place. You win, I'll sentence myself to death for treason by letting you go."
"Really?" laughed the skinny thug, though he did so wincing in pain. "Ha! You Emboldorians and your 'honor'. It's a miracle you lot are in power with such a mindset. I swear by Odiva the Perfect that this bloody game is gonna be your downfall."
"Swearing allegiance to the Perfect Goddess is going to be yours," said the Red Sparrow. The left vambrace on his arm flashed red and morphed into a Duel Disk. The thug had one made of pewter and dull wood.
"I'll take you on. My Battleguard deck will be more than a match for your deck!"
LP 8000
T1
"I'll go first!" the big thug said. "We 'ave your word? You're gonna let us go if I win."
"Yes."
The big thug let out a laugh followed by a loud burp. "You're gonna regret that, Embolodorian. First, I play the field spell, Sogen! This card will increase the attack and defense points of warriors and beast-warriors by two 'undred. Next, I set a card face-down and summon Granite Battleguard in attack mode!"
A light flashed in front of him and it took the form of a two-story ogre colored blue. He carried a spiked stone club and had long, messy, red hair that looked like overgrown moss.
ATK/1000 (→1200) DEF/1200 (→1400)
"Granite Battleguard's effect lets me summon Boulder Battleguard from my hand!" the big thug said, slapping the card on the wooden surface of his Duel Disk. The monster he summoned was a tall and very stout ogre wearing animal skins. He had long green hair and yellow horns protruding from his head.
ATK/1200 (→1400) DEF/1500 (→1700)
"That does it for me."
"Go get 'em, mate! You got this!"
T2
"My turn," said the Red Sparrow. "I activate the spell, Vampire Kingdom!" A tear in the dimension formed behind him, revealing a dark, Gothic castle, looming against a wine-colored sky and an bright red moon peeking behind black clouds.
"Hold on!" said the big thug. "I 'ave a field spell in play. How can you play your own?"
"The new rules state both players can each have a field spell out."
"When did this happen?" squealed the skinny thug.
"The game evolves day by day. Such a pity most of its players don't. Now, I summon Vampire Sorceror in attack mode." A cloud of bats flew around their playing field. Both the thugs waved their arms around in fright trying to shoo them away. The bats, done tormenting the two men, then soared to the Red Sparrow's side of the field and formed into a vampire in black and red robes and a wide-brimmed pointed hat. His staff was adorned with a bat-shaped decoration and there was a clever ornament around his waist that looked like a blue claw was grasping him.
ATK/1500 DEF/1500
"And then I will attack. This is where Vampire Kingdom comes into play. When my Zombie monsters attack, their attack increases by 500 during the battle phase."
"You're not atttackin' anything! Boulder Battleguard's effect activates! Once during the battle phase, I can stop your monster from attacking."
"Very well," said the Red Sparrow. "But because a monster declared an attack, I can special summon, Vampire Fraulien in defense mode." Another cloud of bats flew out of the darkness of the alley and swarmed the field in front of the Red Sparrow. They flew off, revealing a pale, but beautiful, young woman in red Gothic clothing. She had a black umbrella with black lace, which she used to shield herself from the sun.
ATK/600 DEF/2000
"Ooo, she's a pretty young thing," said this big thug.
His friend was not at all pleased by that remark. "You bloody tosser! Even now you'd think about drollin' over women! Can you get anymore thick?"
T3
"I draw," the big man said, ignoring his friend. "I sacrifice Granite Battleguard to summon Swamp Battleguard in attack mode!" Granite Battleguard digitized into nothing then Swamp Battleguard took his place. He snarled and stomped his foot on the ground feeling the power of Sogen increasing his attack from 1800 to 2000. "Now, I activate me face-down card. Battleguard Rage! This will increase Swamp Battleguard's attack by 1000! Now at 3000 attack points, he's the strongest monster on the field! Attack his Vampire Sorceror, Swamp Battleguard!"
The ogre howled and charged across the cobbled street towards the vampire. Suddenly, a trail of blood swirled from out of the Red Sparrow's arm and into the mouth of the Vampire Sorceror. Vampire Fruelien muttered something in a fell language to conjure up a spell of blood magic.
"Wot's all this?" asked the big man.
"When your monster declares an attack, Vampire Fraulien allows me to sacrifice my Life Points in multiples of 100 to increase Vampire Sorceror's attack by the amount I sacrificed. I choose 1000 and with the 500 attack point bonus from Vampire Kingdom, our monsters were evenly matched. Also, due to the effect of your Battleguard Rage card, our monsters get sent back to the hand instead."
"Blast!" said the big thug. "I'll get you on me next turn."
A few uneventful turns went by. But the thug didn't let his guard down. He knew the Red Sparrow was most likely biding his time.
T5
"Another turn wasted. But I'll get you next time."
"If there is a next time for you. I set a card face-down and summon Vampire Sorceror again. I choose not to attack since your Boulder Battleguard will prevent me from doing so."
T6
"Ya still got the upper hand, mate!" said the skinny thug, still wrenching in pain. "Come on! You have no idea what the Red Sparrows do to people in their interrogation rooms."
"I've got this!" said his friend. "I'll beat this red chicken and we'll be 'ome scott-free. Far and away from the massacre. I draw and tribute Boulder Battleguard for the mighty Lava Battleguard! I'll attack your Vampire Sorceror!"
"Wait, you dunce!" shouted his friend. "Don't ya remember what happened last time?"
"Uh, you're right! Laval Battleguard wait!"
It was too late. Lava Battleguard smashed his wooden club on the sorcerer, annihilating him. Or so he thought. The club landed on an iron coffin.
"Wot's all this?"
"I activated my trap card, Vampire Awakening. When you declare an attack, my trap lets me special summon a Vampire from my deck. Arise, Vampire Lord!"
The coffin opened and revealed a handsome vampire dressed in dapper attire and a cape that looked like a bat's wing. He opened his eyes and slowly emerged from the coffin, staring hungrily at the Red Sparrow's opponent. Thankfully, the man now had a choice to continue the battle phase. Knowing full well what Vampire Frauline could do, he chose not to finish the attack. The big man ended his turn and then Vampire Lord turned into a pile of dust and bone.
"Wot 'appened to him?" asked the thug.
"Oh, when a Vampire monster is summoned with Vampire's awakening, it's destroyed at the end of the turn."
That bit of news caused the man to laugh. "Well, well, so much for that, eh? For a moment there, I thought I had something to worry about."
The Red Sparrow smiled. "If you think this is going to end well for you, you haven't been paying attention, friend. My turn."
T7
The Red Sparrow drew and grinned from the darkness of his hood. "Justice prevails. I activate the spell, Graceful Charity. I draw three cards and discard two cards. Now, I will release Vampire Sorceror to Advance Summon Vampire Scarlet Scourge!" Vampire Sorceror disappeared into a cloud of bats, which took off moments later to reveal another dapper vampire in black clothes and a long black cape with red silk on the underside. His long, wavy, white hair blew gracefully against the breeze and his ruby-red eyes sparkled with thirst.
ATK/2200 DEF/2200
The Red Sparrow held up his arm and blood streamed out of it, eddying through the air and into the mouth of Vampire Scarlet Scourge. "By paying 1000 of my Life Points, I'm allowed to special summon a Vampire monster from my Graveyard. Return, Vampire Lord." Vampire Scarlet Scourge conjured another cloud of bats, which flew in circles over one of the monster zones. Vampire Lord remerged from the Graveyard and laughed. "But he will not stay for long. No, no, no. I will banish him to summon the all-powerful, Vampire Genesis!"
Vampire Lord chuckled one last time and grew two large membranous purple wings which he used to conceal himself with as he underwent his transformation. Moments later, the handsome vampire was gone. The wings spread to reveal a purple, hulk-of-a-beast with burning red eyes and a large mouth lined with boulder-sized teeth. He let out a monstrous roar and held up his arms as thunder and lightning erupted all around him.
ATK/3000 DEF/2100
"I activate the effect of Vampire Genesis. I discard Vampire Vamp from my hand and special summon a Zombie monster with a level lower than her's. Return, Vampire's Curse!"
Vampire Genesis flexed his muscles and let out a haunting roar that shook the ground and drowned out the bells ringing across the city. From the ground emerged another young vampire with short bluish-green hair and wearing purple armor. His eyes burned bright like the red moon glowing over the castle in the Vampire Kingdom behind him.
The younger vampires seemed to hover close together in front of Vampire Genesis, forming a menacing pose that would haunt the thug's dreams forever.
"Now, I attack your Lava Battleguard with Vampire Genesis! Doing so activates Vampire Fruelien effect. I will sacrifice 3000 of my Life Points to increase Vampire Genesis's attack by 3000 increasing him to 6000! And don't forget, with Vampire Kingdom's effect, I can increase my monster's attack by 500 during the damage step. Vampire Genesis! Crimson Storm!"
"Sixty-five 'undred attack points!" shouted the man. "No! No! Nooooo!"
Vampire Genesis summoned a storm of red winds that shredded Laval Battleguard to pieces. The excess blast knocked the man on his back, and his companion too, causing the arrow to push against his flesh and crack his bones. He let out a howl, rolling around and begging for the pain to stop. The big thug's Life Points fell to 3250. Then, Vampire Scarlet Scourge was next. He struck the man's Life Points by stabbing him in the heart with a rapier he materialized from darkness. Finally, Vampire's Curse spread his armored wings and soared towards the man, punching him in the gut and bringing his Life Points to 0.
The monsters vanished and the Red Sparrow approached the two men. Suddenly the big thug got up and sprinted down the street, hoping to get away from the Red Sparrow, and leaving his friend behind. He didn't make it far, for an arrow shot out of nowhere and pierced his leg. The man grunted and fell. He rolled around, tending to his leg, and listening to the Red Sparrow's footsteps as they got closer and closer.
"Disavowing your oath to the Dueling Pact?" said the agent. "You know what we do to those who dishonor their oaths."
The big thug spat a glob of mucus at the Red Sparrow's black and red boots. "To the Shadows with you! Do wot you want with us. We're not gonna talk!"
The Red Sparrow shook his head. "I beg to disagree."
The Ceremony
The High Priestess of the Earth Goddess, Gaia, took a container of soil from the peaks of Mt. Theltion, where Norman the Conqueror first arrived to save the world. She rubbed the soil on her thumb and slid it across the prince's forehead. "Good tidings to you, your majesty. I am High Priestess Belladonna of the Temple of Gaia, Goddess of Earth. I give unto you soil from the spot where the Champion of the Goddesses arrived on the holy mountain. With this blessing, the blades of darkness will never strike you down."
The High Priestess went on her knees and prayed. When she was done, she turned and left, making way for the High Priestess of the Water Goddess, Winnex. Joey bit his lip while his friend, Tristan, tried his best to look away. The High Priestess was scantily dressed in oriental clothing made of silver and cloth-of-gold colored blue and black. She held a ewer of platinum in her hands and bowed her head. "Beloved prince," she said, her voice rang like a cool and gentle river. "I baptize you with the waters from the Pool of Nerronax, the holy spring where the Goddesses bathe." She poured the water over the prince's head. Surprisingly, the child remained calm. "The Daughter of Aafi, Goddess of the Ocean, will forever be your guardian. From henceforth, you will sail on gentle seas under clear skies. The water will also keep you pure from the temptation of the shadows. Long may you live, O' precious child." She kissed the baby's forehead, prayed, and walked down to make way for the High Priestess of the Fire Goddess.
She held up two red candles and asked her knight to light them. She then held them over the baby and prayed. "Beloved Prince, thank you for banishing the greatest evil to plague our world since Zorc. The Goddess of Fire, Untolia, will form a flaming aegis around your soul. These holy flames will ward off the darkness and keep your heart burning bright and strong and sure. May the Flames of Untolia burn you a path to victory and prosperity. Goddesses be praised."
Next, came the High Priestess of Yanavon the Goddess of Wind. Like the others, she kissed the prince on his forehead then prayed before she blessed him. "Greetings, my prince," she said. "I gift you with the fierce gale of Simorgh, Yanavon's most beloved servant. May his divine winds blow away the fell powers of the world and keep your mind as pure and strong as the mountains."
The High Priestess of the Light Goddess, Entuli, then came, bearing a lantern made of crystal and silver hanging from a gilded chain. She waved the lantern over the boy as she sang a song in Ancient Termnnian tongues that have been forgotten by all, save for the High Priestesses. "A fine morning to thee, Prince Daveed," she said. "With the blessing of this lantern, you receive the Light of Entuli, which will shine for you a path to justice and radiance. A path that will lead you to those with lights in their hearts that are as bright as yours. There will be many dangers in the path you tread, but so long as you walk under her stars, you will find your way to a radiant and splendid future."
And then the Grand Priestess arrived. In her hands, she carried a case made of glass and gold, bearing three special cards inside. The Divine Beasts. Obelisk the Tormentor, The Winged Dragon of Ra, and Slifer the Sky Dragon, the monster that the prince was rumored to have summoned to defeat Anubis. Avenellia turned and held up the case for all to see. After a round of applause, she faced the prince and knelt. "Prince Daveed of the House of Plantegrast. You now bear the great gift of Horakhty, the might of the Termnnian God Cards. May the fist of Obelisk the Tormentor vanquish those who challenge your birthright. May the flames of the Winged Dragon of Ra burn bright and incinerate those who curse you. And may the thundering roar of Slifer the Sky Dragon send waves of fear upon your enemies and those foolish enough to stand with them. Goddesses be Praised!"
"Goddesses be Praised!" everyone in the throne room said.
When the blessings were done, two Black Luster Soldiers donning beautiful white capes with dragon-shaped fastenings made of silver walked across the throne room. They bowed in respect for the prince, then stood on either side of him to guard him. Then two lines of Buster Bladers marched in. They split as they got closer to the Diamond Throne and stand on either side of the red-carpeted path leading to it. When the security was set, it was time for the royal guests to come in and get their chance to see the hero. The Elves had arrived first; they came traveling a long way from their hidden woodland cities to bring gifts for the baby. Mai, Téa, and Serenity watched in awe as the mightiest Elven lords from all over Keya and even the mystical continent of Almara entered the grand halls.
When the Elves were done with their blessings, the Dwarves of Greenton were next. They arrogantly marched towards the prince, hoping to outdo the Elves with their gifts to the prince. Then, when their time was done, the kings and queens from all the kingdoms of Termnnia both grand and small arrived to shower the boy with gifts too, and the Mages from the Citadel came books, hoping that the prince's guardians would shower him with knowledge.
King Helmsley of Elleria proudly strolled into the room with his family. His wife, Sera, was pregnant which child due at any moment, and their little daughter, Princess Evelyn, happily walked beside them carrying a box of coins and Star Chips for the prince. Her ebony hair went down to her shoulders in pretty curls and she had a rose sprinkled with gold dust tucked into the left part of her hair. A large red bow was also perched there with a galaxy-cut ruby in the center, mostly there as a way for her parents to show off their riches to the other noble guests.
"Princess Evelyn," said Mai. "How do you do?"
"I am well, My Lady," Evelyn said doing curtsy. "Pleased to see you."
Mai smiled and squealed delightfully as she looked at Helmsley and Sera. "You're daughter has grown into quite the lady, Your Grace. You must be very proud."
Helmsley scoffed. "Proud is not what I would use to describe her. The girl has a long way to go when learning how to greet the Heir to the Throne. How dare you march ahead of us young lady?"
Evelyn squeaked and went red in the face. "I'm sorry, papa."
"Don't be so hard on her, Helmsley!" Yami said after quickly taking Yugi's place. He said this as he walked out from behind Joey and Tristan. "High King Antar told me you weren't any better as a child. You wet your pants on purpose if you weren't served enough capon from what I recall."
Everyone in the throne room laughed. Yami had no remorse for the king's humiliation. Time and time again he had seen him be rough with little Evelyn, and it wasn't out of love. To see him act this way with her, even on a joyous day such as this, had crossed the line for Yugi. He leered when he saw Helmsley go red as the laughter slowly died down to a few chuckles before the ceremony went quiet again.
"Humph!" Helmsley grumbled.
Mai let out a stealthy snicker as she watched the king get put in his place. She noticed a timid youth hiding behind the dress of Queen Sera. "Oh, and who is this strapping young fellow?" she asked.
Helmsley looked at the boy and gave another scoff. He grabbed the boy by the scruff of his neck and pulled him out so he could face Mai. He leaned toward his ear and whispered sternly, telling him to behave. "This is Dancer of House Firewing, a cadet branch of my House. Excuse the lad. He begged and begged me to take him to the capital of the Land of the Kings because he wanted to see Prince Yuri and all the knights. But, he's a bit shy. Spineless coward."
"That's not very kind," said Mai.
"He's also my future husband," Evelyn said, to which the crowd laughed.
"Is that so?" Mai asked. "Now how did that come to pass?"
"I beat him in a Duel, my lady," Evelyn boasted, placing her hands behind her back and moving her shoulders back and forth. "If he won the Duel, he could have the Buster Blader deck Master Yugi gave me. But if he lost, then he would agree to marry me. And I won!"
The guests — even Maester Seymour and the Priestesses — laughed even louder upon hearing her say that. Dancer's face turned so red, Mai thought it was going to burst. She slowly approached him and held out her hand. "It's good to meet you, Dancer," said Mai. "Come now. Don't be shy."
Dancer whimpered and hid behind Sera's gown. Mai was just so beautiful and shined brightly in her gilded, glimmering gown. She looked like the Arva, an extinct race of winged people. Everyone in the throne room laughed again at his timidness. Sera chuckled and tugged her dress away from his clutches. "Forgive him, Lady Mai. He is star-struck. Master Yugi is somewhat of a hero to him."
"Is that so?" said Yami. "Come young one, you can sit with me in the tourney celebrating the new ruler of our lands."
"Re-really?" Dancer asked. Yami held out his hand. Dancer shook it, feeling a sensation of relief overtake him when he touched the hand of his idol. "Wow, this is the best day of my life! I'd be honored, sir!"