Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Obscured Truth

by DivadX

Yuhiro Furutani, one of 8 children kidnapped 10 years ago by an unknown group, now works as Raguel, an agent in LINK VRAINS' Black Market. One day, he fights the Knights of Hanoi and encounters Playmaker, who becomes his newest assignment. Follow Yuhiro as he now must decide who he wants to become: as both a duelist and as an individual.

19. Chapter 19: Of Knights and Birds

Update: Before this chapter begins, I wanted to give a special thank you to ZarcEternal, HunterHQ, and Yuman28 for pointing out the error made regarding Cyreath Counter-Shuffle. I therefore decided to give Tenyi Spirit – Vishuda an anime effect, where when a card effect is activated, it can be banished to not only negate the effect, but also return that card to the hand.

Anyhow, onto the chapter.

Chapter 19: Of Knights and Birds

In Watchman's server…

"I must confess." Watchman said, looking at Raguel and Playmaker. "After seeing how the two of you handled yourselves against Zandaka and Aso, or as you know them, Dancho and Faust, my interest is piqued. Even against strong opponents such as them, you still prevailed."

"What is this?" Playmaker demanded. "Why have you brought us here?"

"Playmaker. Also known as Yusaku Fujiki." Watchman replied, as Playmaker was shocked at what he just heard. "The man who channels his hubris and anger and calls it strength. Are you truly aware of why you really fight? No. Not yet." He turned to Raguel. "You haven't found the answer to that question either, Raguel. But rest assured: There is still time to prepare you both for what's to come."

"He knows who you are, Playmaker?!" Ai exclaimed, emerging from Playmaker's Duel Disk.

"Don't be so shocked, Playmaker." Raguel told him. "When I first met with him, he revealed that he knew my identity too."

"That, and he kicked our asses shortly afterwards." Herald added, emerging from Raguel's Duel Disk. "But hey, it was a humbling experience for Raguel."

Kusanagi, who was in the back of Café Nagi, was shocked at what he just witnessed on the monitors. First, Playmaker, along with Raguel, were transported to a private server. Then the man who owned the private server, who Kusanagi could only identify as Watchman, revealed that he knew Yusaku was Playmaker. "This guy knows that Yusaku is Playmaker..." He could not believe it at all.

Elsewhere, in the backroom of Café Matsuo, Roxy was also watching what was transpiring on the monitors. After the fiasco with Lord Kazuma, she developed a program so that, if Raguel were to disappear from the general area of LINK VRAINS, she would be able to locate where he was and still help him out. "Hope you know what you're doing, Yuhiro..." Roxy muttered, as she continued to look at the monitors.

Meanwhile, in Watchman's Server, Playmaker regained his senses after hearing what Raguel and Herald said to him. He then directed his attention to Watchman. "If you know who Raguel and I are, then that brings me to only one conclusion: You were one of the researchers there during the Hanoi Project, weren't you?"

"Excellent observation, Playmaker." Watchman praised him. "Just as I confirmed with Raguel, I will confirm with you as well. I was indeed one of the researchers throughout the Hanoi Project."

"Then why have you brought us here? To remind us of our suffering during the Hanoi Project?" Playmaker demanded from Watchman once again.

Watchman simply chuckled at Playmaker's question. "To remind you both of your suffering?" He turned his head to look at the stars around them. "Why would I do that, when I can instead prepare myself and the both of you for the Crisis to come."

"You still didn't answer my question."

Watchman turned to face Raguel and Playmaker. "I planned to meet with you and Raguel once the 'Another' threat was over. In addition, Herald sent me a message last night regarding Data Material, the endless possibilities the Ignis have, and abiding by their limits. Those questions couldn't have come at a better timing. Which is why I decided to bring you both here. To answer Herald's questions, and test you both."

"So the two of you were partially responsible for this." Playmaker said to Raguel, turning to face him, a mixture of anger and confusion clearly evident on his face.

"Partially." Herald clarified. "We had to send that message to Watchman."

"This was because we barely won in our duels against both Dancho and Kazuma." Raguel added, causing Playmaker's eyes to widen in surprise as his anger popped. "If it weren't for Herald creating a new Link Monster, we would've lost against Dancho."

"Hold on." Ai interrupted. "You can create Link Monsters, Herald?"

"Ai." Herald said, a frustrated look on his face. "As an Ignis yourself, YOU OF ALL PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO CREATE LINK MONSTERS!"

Playmaker turned to look at Watchman, confusion still evident on his face. "If you were among the researchers during the Hanoi Project, why are you fighting against them?"

Watchman turned away from Raguel and Playmaker to look at the stars behind him. "As I told Raguel, I wish to repent for the sins I've committed. I want to stop the Hanoi from doing something so horrendous that it will affect the Cyberse and the Human world." He raised his arms high above his head, as he continued to look at the stars. "You know, when I look at these stars, I can't help but marvel at how spectacular they are. Just like how these stars bring something remarkable to humans, I believe that the coexistence between the Cyberse and humans can do the same thing."

"Coexistence?" Playmaker repeated.

"Yes. The ability for two different races to live in harmony." Watchman clarified, turning his head as he looked at Playmaker. "Doesn't it intrigue you? That you're ability to bond with the Dark Ignis, who you named Ai, is proof that coexistence can exist?"

"I don't care what you believe." Playmaker said. "Since you were among the researchers during the Hanoi Project, I'm challenging you to a duel. And when I defeat you, you will do three things for me. One: You will give me the names of the researchers who were involved in the Hanoi Project. Two: You will help me rescue the one who saved not just me, but all the other kids who were involved in the Lost Incident a long time ago. Three: You will answer why we were kidnapped and forced to suffer in the first place."

"Um, Playmaker, I wouldn't do that." Raguel warned him. "I challenged this guy a long time ago, and lost."

"And what about the questions I asked you, Watchman?" Herald asked him. "Can you at least answer them before you duel Playmaker?"

Watchman simply laughed at Playmaker. "Duel you? Right now? Normally, I would accept your challenge to humble you, just like I did with Raguel. However, my allies will be dueling the both of you instead."

"Allies?" Playmaker and Raguel said at the same time. Raguel was about to say something, but Ai beat him to the punch.

"Are you afraid to duel Playmaker and Ai because you're scared?" Ai asked Watchman, while adding a pun at the same time.

"No, my friend." Watchman answered Ai. "I'm having my allies duel you both so that you're prepared for the Crisis." He raised his left hand so that it was in front of his chest, as two small spheres of orange data material generated above it. He then released the two spheres towards Ai and Herald, who grabbed them immediately.

"Hey. These are..." Ai began.

"Data Material Spheres." Herald finished, as the two Ignis ate them, each of them gaining strength.

"Surviving these trials will only be found by knowing your true self." Watchman said, as he raised his left hand once again, only this time to the air. He then released a Data Storm from it, much to Raguel and Playmaker's shock. Using his right hand, he then directed some of the Data Material to create a doorway. "Your trial awaits you through this doorway, Raguel. As for you, Playmaker, you'll have to ride this Data Storm to find yours." He then turned into orange particles as he disappeared.

"Good luck on your trial, Playmaker." Raguel said to him, as he ran into the doorway, intent on completing his trial. The doorway then disappeared.

"You as well, Raguel." Playmaker said, as he jumped into the air, his duel board materializing underneath him as he rode the Data Storm. Whoever this Watchman is, Playmaker thought, he was involved in the Hanoi Project all those years ago. He narrowed his eyes. But once I get through this test of his, I'll be able to duel him and get the answers not just for myself, but for Jin, Raguel, and everyone else that was involved in the Lost Incident!

"Yusaku." Kusanagi said to him through the com. "I can't believe that we have another lead on the Hanoi. And this time, it's one of the researchers who were there when it all started!"

"I know, Kusanagi." Playmaker replied. "Once I get through his trial, I promise you: I will duel Watchman and get the answers we're both after."

"But Raguel said that he dueled him and lost." Kusanagi stated. "This means he may be on Revolver's level."

"Maybe." Playmaker admitted. "But no powerful the enemy, I can't falter. For Jin. For everyone who was afflicted by the Lost Incident. And for the one who saved us all those years ago!"

"Those statements are impressive, Playmaker. But will it help you get through this trial?"

Playmaker turned his head behind him and gasped upon hearing that voice, as a figure on his duel board sped in front of him. The duel board he was riding on was colored dark metal grey, with eerie-blue highlights running along the sides and on the front, with an eerie-blue stripe on the outmost front. The board's rear sides also had glowing eerie-blue recesses as well.

The man who was riding the duel board was fully clad in pitch-black armor, with a rustic black helmet that had a thinly carved slit displaying the ghastly red glow of his eyes. Black markings were evident on the vambraces of the armor, as well as the cuisses and greaves. The pauldron on his shoulders were slightly spiked, and there were also small spikes on his cuirass as well.

Playmaker sped up so he could be parallel with the armored duelist. "Are you one of Watchman's allies sent to duel me?"

"Correct. And you can call me Percival," the armored duelist answered him. "I'm here to duel you and see if you are truly ready for what's to come."

"You mean Revolver and the Hanoi?"

"Not just that, but what lies beyond." Percival clarified to Playmaker. "All your actions up until now have been to fight against the Knights of Hanoi. To get justice for what's been done to you. It's that goal that's been motivating you the whole time. I therefore want to see your fortitude first-hand!"

"If that's what you want, then I will accept your challenge!" Playmaker responded. Perhaps if I defeat Percival, Playmaker thought, he'll direct me to where Watchman is. And there, I'll duel him to get our answers.

"Let's give this guy a duel he won't forget!" Ai added.

"Speed Duel!" Percival and Playmaker said in unison.

Percival: 4000 LP

Playmaker: 4000 LP

"Playmaker. Because I challenged you," Percival said, "I will let you decide to go first or second."

"He's letting us decide?" Ai said, turning to Playmaker. "That's chivalrous of him, considering that he looks like a knight."

"Then we should use this choice to set up a defense. After all, we don't know what deck he'll use." Playmaker replied. Directing his attention to Percival, he told him, "I'll go first." He then looked at the cards in his hand. "I Set one card face-down. Next, as I control no monsters, I can Special Summon LinkSlayer from my hand!" A man in golden lion armor with a long, brown cape appeared on Playmaker's field. On each of his claws was a translucent, long blue blade.

LinkSlayer ATK: 2000 DEF: 600 LV: 5

"And since I control a Cyberse monster, I can Special Summon Backup Secretary from my hand!" A purple-haired woman with white clothes and a purple cape also appeared on Playmaker's field.

Backup Secretary ATK: 1200 DEF: 800 LV: 3

"Now I summon Link Streamer from my hand!" Playmaker continued, as a golden dragon with solar panels for wings joined his field. It had a circular body with a hole in the middle, along with two smaller solar panels on each side.

Link Streamer ATK: 1600 DEF: 1800 LV: 4

"And now, I shall create my ultimate circuit!" A Link Portal appeared ahead of Playmaker. "The summoning conditions are one Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster! I'll set Backup Secretary in the Link Markers!" Backup Secretary went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Link Disciple!" A red and black machine appeared in the right Extra Monster Zone on Playmaker's field.

Link Disciple ATK: 500 LINK-1 ⬇️

"I activate the effect of Link Streamer!" Playmaker added. "Once per turn, when a Cyberse monster is Normal or Special Summoned while this card is on the field, I can Special Summon a 'Data' token to my field!" Link Streamer fired a small beam of light from it's body, generating a small solar disc on Playmaker's field.

Data Token ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

"Once again, I shall create my ultimate circuit!" A second Link Portal appeared in front of Playmaker. "The summoning conditions are three monsters. I'll set the Data Token, Link Disciple, which is a Link 1 monster, and Link Streamer in the Link Markers!" The Data token went into the bottom-left arrowhead, Link Streamer went into the left arrowhead, and Link Disciple went into the right arrowhead.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Powercode Talker!" A large warrior in red armor with large shoulder pads and bracers appeared in the right Extra Monster Zone on Playmaker's field.

Powercode Talker ATK: 2300 LINK-3 ⬅️➡️↙️

"That ends my turn." Playmaker concluded.

"That's actually not a bad set-up you got there, Playmaker." Ai said, looking at his field. "With your face-down card, as well as Powercode Talker's effect, we'll be able to steamroll over anything he throws at us."

"I wouldn't be so sure, Ai." Playmaker responded. "There is never such thing as an impenetrable defense. I did what I could to prepare for what he can throw at us."

"My turn! I draw!" Percival said, drawing the top card of his deck. "I activate the Field Spell card, The Phantom Knights of Deathly Hallows!" The card showed a graveyard, with several Phantom Knights' monsters roaming it at night. At the center of the graveyard was a grave, with a symbol of a triangle containing a line and a circle in the middle. "Now all 'The Phantom Knights' monsters I control gain 200 attack and defense points! Next, I summon The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak from my hand!" An eerie-blue ghost wearing a dark-purple cloak joined Percival's field. On top of the cloak was a red cloth with drapes on either side. Behind the ghost was a metal, curved bar with four large nails in between, as well as six, small purple flames. While it didn't look like Ancient Cloak had hands, it was evident that the ghost was carrying two small scepters.

The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak ATK: 800 DEF: 1000 LV: 3

"Deathly Hallows' effect!"

The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak ATK: 800 + 200 = 1000

"Next, I activate the effect of Kagemusha Knight from my hand! As I Normal Summoned a Level 3 monster, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!" A black ghostly spirit with one arm, wearing bronze, copper armor and helmet appeared on Percival's field.

Kagemusha Knight ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 3

"I activate the effect of The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots from my hand! Since there is a 'The Phantom Knights' monster on my field, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!" Percival continued, as he placed the card on the blue sword-shaped blade of his Duel Disk, which resembled a rusty metallic shield. Soon, an eerie blue ghost wearing brown rags from the top down, with a skeleton necklace appeared on Percival's field, it's hands chained behind it's back. The ghost wore brown boots with grey pants, along with ragged brown elements around it's waist.

The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots ATK: 200 DEF: 1200 LV: 3

"My Field Spell's effect!"

The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots ATK: 200 + 200 = 400

"Appear! The circuit of the grave!" A Link Portal appeared in front of Percival. "The summoning conditions are two or more Dark monsters! I'll Set The Phantom of Knights of Ancient Cloak, The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots, and Kagemusha Knight in the Link Markers!" Ancient Cloak went into the bottom-left arrowhead, Silent Boots went into the bottom-right arrowhead, and Kagemusha Knight went into the right arrowhead.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! I call upon the ghostly spirit resting in it's tomb to take the form of a knight once again! Link 3! The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche!" A warrior wearing grey, metallic armor with red markings all over it appeared on Percival's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. He also had a long, ragged cape as well. Eerie-blue flames emitted from it's knees, waist, and shoulders as it's eyes glowed eerie-blue. It swung it's bardiche, ready for battle.

The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche ATK: 2100 LINK-3 ↙️↘️➡️

"Deathly Hallows' effect!"

The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche ATK: 2100 + 200 = 2300

"I activate the effects of Ancient Cloak and Silent Boots from my Graveyard!" Percival continued. "By banishing Ancient Cloak, I can add one 'The Phantom Knights' card from my deck to my hand, while banishing Silent Boots lets me add one 'The Phantom Knights' Spell or Trap card from my deck to my hand!" Using the effects of Ancient Cloak and Silent Boots, Percival added The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring and The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves to his hand.

"Do you think we should have-?" Ai began, but Playmaker cut him off.

"No, Ai." Playmaker answered him. "I'll wait to use it once he uses a card effect on our turn."

"I Set one card face-down." Percival said. He then turned his duel board so he could face Playmaker and declared, "Battle! The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche attacks LinkSlayer! Eerie Execution!" Rusty Bardiche jumped forward and slashed LinkSlayer, destroying him and causing Playmaker to slightly wince.

Playmaker: 4000 – 300 = 3700 LP

"That wasn't a total loss." Ai said, as Rusty Bardiche returned to Percival's field. "We may have lost LinkSlayer, but we still got Powercode Talker. And a lot of life points too."

"You may be partially right, Ai." Playmaker said, looking at Percival's field. "But I have a feeling he's just getting started."

"I end my turn." Percival concluded. "Let's see how you respond to my cards."

Elsewhere...

Raguel exited the doorway, which led him to another section in Watchman's server. Pretty soon, the doorway closed behind him.

"Well, I guess there's no turning back now." Raguel said, seeing that the doorway was gone. "You ready, Herald?"

"Obviously." Herald answered Raguel. "We will get through this."

"I'm glad you're both ready. Because I have arrived," a female voice said, getting Raguel and Herald's attention as a woman stepped out of an orange gateway behind her before disappearing. She wore light green robes with yellow designs and a grey 'V' styled belt at her waist. She also wore green armored plating over her robes top down to her waist, a green jewel at the middle of her chest. The woman had short, light green hair, which ended at her chin. She wore a mask that had bird-like eyes, which covered her face, along with a small, yellow headdress.

"So I take it you're one of Watchman's allies?" Raguel asked her. "Because Playmaker and I are supposed to be dueling them, one each."

"Yes. Your theory is accurate," the woman replied. "Playmaker is currently dueling Percival at the moment in a Speed Duel. I am Demeter. And I'm here to not only duel you, but to help you solve the conflict in your heart."

"My heart?" Raguel repeated. "What are you talking about?"

"Why you duel, of course." Demeter responded. "Even after meeting Watchman, you are still at a crossroads on why you duel. On one path, you duel to obtain money, but only to help a loved one that was also affected by the Lost Incident. On the other, you duel to protect others. What happens in this duel will ultimately affect what path you walk."

"How do you-?" Suddenly, it made sense to Raguel. He then turned to Herald. "Herald, I thought you were going to send a message to Watchman about the questions we had regarding Data Material!"

"I did." Herald told him. "But I decided to let him know of the conflict inside you as well, Raguel. I did this so you could face this conflict head-on!"

"You know exactly why I'm stuck at a crossroads, Herald!" Raguel snapped back. "If I stopped doing what I'm doing, I'd be failing both Miyu and Roxy! I owe her completely after all the kindness she showed me. How am I supposed to live with myself if I simply gave up on them?"

Roxy, who was watching this on the monitors, felt her heart shatter to pieces. "Yuhiro..." she muttered. "I didn't know that's how you felt." Perhaps it's time, she thought, as she left the backroom and headed upstairs to her room, that I tell him the truth.

On the monitors, Demeter interrupted their conversation by saying, "Our duel will help you, Raguel. Whether you see it or not, this trial will forever change you."

"Herald. We'll talk about this later." Raguel said to him. Turning to Demeter, he said, "If you wish to duel, then let's get it over with!"

"As you wish."

"Duel!" both Raguel and Demeter shouted.

Raguel: 4000 LP

Demeter: 4000 LP

"As a lady, I believe I shall go first." Demeter said, looking at her cards. "First I summon Simorgh, Bird of Beginning from my hand!" A small, light green colored bird with beady red eyes flapped onto Demeter' field. The little bird had an Egyptian necklace around its neck, horns, and a small crown on its head. There were two pieces of golden jewelry on its wings, along with two wispy feathers on each side.

Simorgh, Bird of Beginning ATK: 0 DEF: 1600 LV: 1

"When this card is Normal Summoned," Demeter explained, "I'm allowed to Normal Summon one 'Simorgh' monster in addition to my Normal Summon or Set. Come, Simorgh, Bird of Bringing!" This time, a larger orange colored bird wearing a feathered headdress flapped onto Demeter' field. The bird had three small earrings on each of it's wings, which connected to the chest plate it wore on it's chest. The bird also had clawed feet as well.

Simorgh, Bird of Bringing ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000 LV: 2

"When this card is Normal Summoned, I'm allowed to add one 'Simorgh' card from my deck to my hand!" A card popped out of Demeter' deck, which she added to her hand. "I activate the Field Spell card, Elborz, The Sacred Lands of Simorgh!" Soon, a massive gust of wind blew through the field before settling down. "Now all Wind Winged-Beast monsters I control gain 300 attack and defense points!"

Simorgh, Bird of Beginning ATK: 0 + 300 = 300 DEF: 1600 + 300 = 1900

Simorgh, Bird of Bringing ATK: 1000 + 300 = 1300 DEF: 1000 + 300 = 1300

"In addition, I can activate the other two effects of Elborz once per turn!" Demeter added.

"Say what?" Raguel said, who widened his eyes in surprise. This was only the first turn, and it was clear that Demeter was going all out.

"I activate the first effect of Elborz!" Demeter continued. "By revealing a Level 5 or higher Wind Winged Beast monster in my hand to you, for the rest of this turn, I'm allowed to Normal Summon Winged-Beast monsters for one less tribute!" She revealed the Level 7 Simorgh, Bird of Divinity from her hand to Raguel.

"But you already Normal Summoned twice this turn." Raguel pointed out. "There's no way you can Normal Summon a third time!"

"You shouldn't have jinxed it, Raguel." Herald said, as he face-palmed.

"Then allow me to disprove your theory." Demeter replied. "I activate the third effect of Elborz! If I control a Wind Winged-Beast monster, I'm allowed to Normal Summon a Winged Beast monster from my hand! I now Normal Summon Simorgh, Bird of Calamity from my hand!" A thinner, vulture-like bird appeared on Demeter' field. The bird had a long neck and a small beak, with a metal collar that had a small red jewel at its center. Its wings were thinner and sharper than the other birds on the field. There was also a metal halo behind its neck as well.

Simorgh, Bird of Calamity ATK: 1500 DEF: 200 LV: 3

"Elborz' effect!"

Simorgh, Bird of Calamity ATK: 1500 + 300 = 1800 DEF: 200 + 300 = 500

"When Simorgh, Bird of Calamity is Normal Summoned, I can send one 'Simorgh' card from my deck to my Graveyard!" Demeter added. Using the effect of Simorgh, Bird of Calamity, she sent Simorgh, Lord of the Storm from her deck to her Graveyard.

"Appear! The circuit of turbulent winds!" A Link Portal appeared above her in the sky. "The summoning conditions are two or more monsters, including a Winged-Beast monster! I'll Set Simorgh, Bird of Beginning, Simorgh, Bird of Bringing, and Simorgh, Bird of Calamity in the Link Markers!" Simorgh, Bird of Beginning went into the bottom-left arrowhead, Simorgh, Bird of Bringing went into the bottom arrowhead, and Simorgh, Bird of Calamity went into the bottom-right arrowhead.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! The majestic bird shall display its sovereignty, and everyone witnessing it will silence themselves in awe! Link 3! Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty!" A massive green bird with a golden halo behind its back flew onto Demeter' field in the right Extra Monster Zone. The giant bird had four wings, with the front wings having golden elements, while the back wings had silver elements. It had a long, green tail, with yellow strands on it. The bird also wore a large collar broad collar around its neck, that extended down to its chest. On top of the bird's head was a crown, and at the back were three spiked feathers, along with a truffle of feathers on its upper back. Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty let out a screech upon entering the field.

Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty ATK: 2400 LINK-3 ↙️⬇️↘️

Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty ATK: 2400 + 300 = 2700

"I activate the effects of Simorgh, Bird of Bringing and Simorgh, Bird of Bringing from my Graveyard!" Demeter added. "Since you have no Spell or Traps cards in your Spell & Trap card zones, I can Special Summon both these monsters from my Graveyard to my field in defense position. However, they're banished when they leave the field, and I also can only Special Summon Winged-Beast monsters for the rest of the turn. Now, fly back to the field!" Soon, Simorgh, Bird of Beginning and Simorgh, Bird of Bringing reappeared on Demeter' field in two of the Main Monster Zones Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty pointed to, as the newly Special Summoned birds took defensive positions.

Simorgh, Bird of Beginning ATK: 0 DEF: 1600 LV: 1

Simorgh, Bird of Bringing ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000 LV: 2

Simorgh, Bird of Beginning ATK: 0 + 300 = 300 DEF: 1600 + 300 = 1900

Simorgh, Bird of Bringing ATK: 1000 + 300 = 1300 DEF: 1000 + 300 = 1300

"I Set one card face-down and end my turn." Demeter concluded. "At this point, the effect of Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty activates. It lets me Special Summon one Winged Beast monster from my hand or deck, whose level is equal to or less than the total number of unused Spell & Trap card zones on the field." A card popped out of her deck, which she took out. "I Special Summon Dark Simorgh from my deck!" Soon, a large black-feathered bird with a silver crown on its head and a silver halo behind it flew onto Demeter' field in the third Main Monster Zone Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty was pointing to. The large bird a small tail, with silver strands extending out of its back. On the back of Dark Simorgh's wings were small pieces of jewelry.

Dark Simorgh ATK: 2700 DEF: 1000 LV: 7

Dark Simorgh ATK: 2700 + 300 = 3000 DEF: 1000 + 300 = 1300

"My turn! I draw!" Raguel said, drawing the top card of his deck. He then realized something. "Wait a minute! Your Dark Simorgh is a Dark attributed Winged-Beast monster. Why did it get an attack and defense boost when your Field Spell only gives it to Wind Winged-Beast monsters?"

"It is because Dark Simorgh is also a Wind attributed Winged-Beast monster while its on the field." Demeter calmly answered. "And in case you were planning on Setting any Spell or Trap cards, Dark Simorgh's effect prevents you from doing so."

"Seriously?" Raguel said, looking at his hand. This was not good at all.

"I wonder how you're going to overcome this obstacle, Raguel." Herald said, as he looked at Demeter' field. "She not only Normal Summoned monsters three times on her first turn, but she also Link Summoned a strong Link 3 monster before Special Summoning two of her monsters from her Graveyard, as well as one from her deck."

"There's always a weakness to every strategy, Herald." Raguel told him. "And I'm going to exploit it." Shifting his focus to the duel, he said, "I activate the Spell card, Cyreath Lead from my hand! This card lets me Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Cyreath' monster from my hand. I Special Summon Cyreath Barbarian from my hand!" A man with spiked cuffs, close-cropped blond hair and mustache joined his field.

Cyreath Barbarian ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000 LVL: 4

"Appear! The circuit showing the highest mountain!" A Link Portal soon formed above Raguel's head. "The summoning conditions are one 'Cyreath' monster! I'll Set Cyreath Barbarian in the Link Markers!" Barbarian went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Cyreath Scorpius!" A huge scorpion, with large pincers and a long tail, appeared on Raguel's field, only in the right Extra Monster Zone.

Cyreath Scorpius ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬇️

"Barbarian's effect activates!" Raguel continued. "Since it was sent to the Graveyard for a Link Summon, the Link Summoned monster that used this card as a Link Material gains 500 attack points!"

Cyreath Scorpius ATK: 1000 + 500 = 1500

"Scorpius' effect! Once per turn, if I control no monsters in my Main Monster Zones, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower 'Cyreath' monster from my Graveyard. Return, Cyreath Barbarian!" Scorpius lowered its tail into a portal, with Barbarian grabbing onto it before jumping out of the portal and back onto the field.

Cyreath Barbarian ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000 LVL: 4

"Appear, for a second time! The circuit showing the highest mountain!" A second Link Portal appeared above Raguel. "The summoning conditions are two 'Cyreath' monsters! I'll Set Cyreath Scorpius, which is a Link 1 monster, and Cyreath Barbarian in the Link Markers!" Scorpius went into the top arrowhead, while Barbarian went into the bottom arrowhead.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Ride into battle! Link 2! Cyreath Chariot Commander!" A ghostly skeletal figure whose entire body was made up of blue flames rode onto the field, in the right Extra Monster Zone. It wore a helmet with jagged, uneven horns, and had an outfit consisting of gauntlets, a pauldron over its left shoulder, a tattered gladiator's skirt, and broken-down metallic boots.

Cyreath Chariot Commander ATK: 2000 LINK-2 ⬆️⬇️

"Barbarian's effect!"

Cyreath Chariot Commander ATK: 2000 + 500 = 2500

"I summon Cyreath Icarus!" Raguel said, placing the card onto his Duel Disk, as an angelic warrior with a white tunic and brown sandals, carrying a modified bow flew onto his field.

Cyreath Icarus ATK: 1200 DEF: 1100 LVL: 3

"Icarus' effect! When this card is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower 'Cyreath' monster from my Graveyard. Come back, Cyreath Barbarian!" The man with spiked cuffs, close-cropped blond hair and mustache soon returned to the field.

Cyreath Barbarian ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000 LVL: 4

"Appear, for a third time! The circuit showing the highest mountain!" A third Link Portal appeared above Raguel. "The summoning conditions are two or more 'Cyreath' monsters! I'll set Cyreath Chariot Commander, which is a Link 2 monster, and Cyreath Barbarian in the Link Markers!" Chariot Commander split into two tornadoes, which went into the left and right arrowheads, while Barbarian went into the top arrowhead.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Heed the captain's call! Link 3! Cyreath Galactic Squid!" A red-skinned octopus with a white underbelly and four tentacles was summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone on Raguel's field. The squid had black eyes flashing yellow dots, and multiple rows of teeth within its maw.

Cyreath Galactic Squid ATK: 2300 LINK-3 ⬅️➡️⬆️

"Barbarian's effect activates for the third time!"

Cyreath Galactic Squid ATK: 2300 + 500 = 2800

"Galactic Squid's effect!" Raguel continued. "When it's Link Summoned, I can target two Main Monster Zones on your side of the field, and you can't use them as long as this card is on the field! I choose your two remaining Main Monster Zones! Ink Burst!" Galactic Squid fired two blasts of ink at those zones, turning them black and preventing Demeter from using them.

"I activate the Spell card, Elixir of the Gods!" The card showed Cyreath Chariot Commander holding a blue bottle and opening it, misty-blue smoke sizzling out of it. "By tributing one 'Cyreath' monster on my field, I can draw two cards. However, I can't attack the turn I activate this effect. For this effect, I tribute Cyreath Icarus!" Icarus vanished into yellow particles as Raguel drew the top two cards of his deck.

"I also activate the second effect of Galactic Squid! Since I control no other monsters, I can tribute this card to shuffle all other cards on the field back into their owner's decks! Bright Overload!" Galactic Squid's black eyes became very bright before firing a massive beam of light from its mouth at every card on Demeter's field, turning every one of them into yellow particles as they returned to Demeter's deck. Galactic Squid then turned to yellow particles afterwards.

"The effects of Simorgh, Bird of Beginning and Simorgh, Bird of Bringing both activate!" Demeter said. "As they both left the field, they're banished."

"I bet you weren't expecting me to reset the field, weren't you?" Raguel asked her.

"No, I did not." Demeter admitted. "However, know that this is a minor setback. Nothing more. Nothing less."

"Regardless, without Dark Simorgh, I am free to Set cards face-down again." Raguel told her. "I therefore Set two cards face-down and end my turn."

"Not bad, Raguel." Herald said to him. "At the cost of not attacking, you were able to clear her entire field."

"It doesn't change how I feel about this duel though, Herald." Raguel replied. I'm going to show Demeter that I am not conflicted, he thought. No matter how strong she is, I won't lose! Soon, another thought popped into his head. I wonder how Playmaker is doing at his trial.

At Playmaker's duel...

"My turn! I draw!" Playmaker said, drawing the top card of his deck. "I summon Cyberse Gadget from my hand!" A white, blue, and red machine with a tablet on its left arm appeared on Playmaker's field. The machine had wires attaching from the back of its head to its back.

Cyberse Gadget ATK: 1400 DEF: 300 LV: 3

"Now I will create my ultimate circuit!" A Link Portal appeared ahead of Playmaker. "The summoning conditions are one Level 4 or lower Cyberse monster! I'll Set Cyberse Gadget in the Link Markers!" Cyberse Gadget went into the top arrowhead, turning it red.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Link Devotee!" A dark blue monster with a circle around it was summoned to the Main Monster Zone Powercode Talker was pointing to.

Link Devotee ATK: 500 LINK-1 ⬆️

"Cyberse Gadget's effect!" Playmaker continued. "Since it was sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Gadget token to my field!" A small, white drone with two laser cannons and an optical eye appeared on Playmaker's field.

Gadget Token ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 2

"And now I shall create my ultimate circuit once again!" A second Link Portal appeared ahead of Playmaker. "The summoning conditions are two Cyberse monsters! I'll Set Link Devotee, which is a Link 1 monster, and the Gadget token in the Link Markers!" Link Devotee went into the left arrowhead, while the Gadget token went into the right arrowhead.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Link Restorer!" A white drone with a red optic eye and two jets appeared as it was summoned to the Main Monster Zone Powercode Talker was pointing to. On its back were two tanks, each one containing purple fluid.

Link Restorer ATK: 1000 LINK-2 ⬅️➡️

"I activate the effect of Powercode Talker! Once per turn, I can target one monster on the field and negate its effects until the end of the turn! I target The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche! Withering Wire!" A clawed wire was released out of Powercode Talker's right gauntlet, as he swung it towards Rusty Bardiche, latching onto the ghostly knight and negating its effects.

"Battle!" Playmaker declared. "Powercode Talker attacks The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche! I activate Powercode Talker's second effect! Since it's battling your monster, I can tribute one monster it's pointing to, and if I do, it's attack points become doubled until the end of the turn!"

"I see..." was all Percival said, intrigued at what Playmaker was doing.

"I tribute Link Restorer to double Powercode Talker's attack points!" Playmaker declared, as Link Restorer turned into yellow particles and a red aura enveloped Powercode Talker.

Powercode Talker ATK: 2300 X 2 = 4600

"The effect of Link Restorer activates!" Playmaker continued. "As it left the field, I gain 1000 life points!" A purple aura briefly surrounded Playmaker.

Playmaker: 3700 + 1000 = 4700 LP

"Attack, Powercode Talker! Power Smash!" Powercode Talker charged forward at Rusty Bardiche, his right fist generating energy in the process. But...

"I activate my face-down Trap card, The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring!" Percival suddenly said. "When this card is activated-!"

"I don't think so!" Playmaker interrupted. "Counter Trap, activate! Cynet Conflict! When a Spell, Trap, or monster effect is activated while I control a 'Code Talker' monster, I can negate the activation and banish it! In addition, you cannot activate cards with the same original name as that card for the rest of this turn!"

"What?" Percival said, shocked as The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring was shut down before exploding into yellow particles.

"Resume your attack, Powercode Talker!" Playmaker said, as Powercode Talker released the clawed wire and slashed Rusty Bardiche, the clawed wire returning to his right gauntlet before the ghostly knight exploded,

Percival: 4000 – 2300 = 1700 LP

"Yeah!" Ai said, raising his right fist in the air. "In your face! Now we're in the lead!"

"Nice one, Yusaku!" Kusanagi said, as he watched the monitors at Café Nagi. "You're halfway to winning the duel, man!"

"Thank you, Kusanagi." Playmaker replied.

"Hey! What about me?" Ai asked Playmaker. "Aren't you going to thank me? Huh? Huh?"

"I don't think I recall you commenting on my recent moves, Ai." Playmaker coldly replied, shocking Ai. Going back to the duel, he said to Percival, "I end my turn. Which means Powercode Talker's attack points go back to normal."

Powercode Talker ATK: 4600 / 2 = 2300

"My turn! I draw!" Percival said. He slowed his duel board down so he could be parallel with Playmaker. "An impressive display, Playmaker. I didn't expect you to cut my life points in half with a single attack."

"Then you should know that I planned to go all out the moment this duel began." Playmaker told him. "I will get to Watchman and obtain the answers I seek, even if it means going through you first."

"A bold declaration, Playmaker." Percival replied. He then sped up slightly on his duel board. "But tell me: Why do you fight?"

"He's asking us why we're fighting the Hanoi?" Ai asked Playmaker. "That answer's easy! It's to protect my behind from getting scrambled!"

Playmaker ignored Ai as he responded to Percival. "I fight to get justice on the Hanoi for everyone who's suffered during the Lost Incident. I also fight to look for why we all had to suffer in the first place, as well as to rescue the one who helped me all those years ago."

"And then what?"

"Huh?" Playmaker said, caught off guard by Percival's response. He never thought about that before.

"You heard me. What do you plan on doing after accomplishing your mission? Will you continue protecting LINK VRAINS? Will you finally move on from the shackles of the past? Will you finally be happy?"

Playmaker could not provide an answer to Percival's questions.

"It is as I thought. Ever since those dreadful days during the Lost Incident, you have been chained to the past." Percival mused.

"What would you know of them?" Playmaker demanded.

"It's because I was there during the Lost Incident." Percival stated, causing Playmaker's eyes to widen.

"What? What do you mean? Answer me, Percival!" Playmaker said, his eyes narrowed in fury.

"I was a research intern during the days of the Lost Incident." Percival answered him, recalling what happened ten years ago. "At the time, I thought I was helping mankind achieve a breakthrough that would change everything if it succeeded."

"Were you aware of the suffering we endured?" Playmaker furiously muttered under his breath. "Were you aware that children were being tortured, Percival?"

"No." Percival admitted. "And by the time I found out, it was too late. I couldn't do anything about it. Nor could I save the one that was there during those awful days."

Playmaker raised an eyebrow to Percival's confession. He too knew someone that was there during the Lost Incident? But who?

"But Watchman found me. He saw that I wanted to set things right." Percival continued. "And so I accepted his offer. In exchange for helping him against the 'Crisis', he would help me set things right for the child that meant so much to me."

Kusanagi crossed his arms and frowned as he listened to Percival's confession on the monitors. So this guy was a research intern during the Lost Incident, he thought. If he had to be honest, he had mixed feelings. He couldn't blame Percival fully for not being aware that children were being tortured. But he had to be held accountable for his role, however small, as a research intern. What surprised Kusanagi, though, was that someone dear to Percival was one of the kidnapped children there with Yusaku and Yuhiro. Yet who could it be?

On the monitors, Playmaker said to Percival, "Just because you had a smaller position on the research team doesn't mean you're free from responsibility, Percival." He pointed his finger at him. "When I defeat you, you'll answer whatever questions you can before directing me to Watchman."

"We'll see." Percival replied. "Let the duel resume! I summon The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves from my hand!" An eerie-blue ghost wearing metallic armor with massive hands appeared on Percival's field. Instead of legs, the ghost had a long, wispy ghost tail extending from the waist down.

The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves ATK: 1000 DEF: 500 LV: 3

"My Field Spell's effect activates!"

The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves ATK: 1000 + 200 = 1200 DEF: 500 + 200 = 700

"I activate the effect of The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots from my hand! Since there is a 'The Phantom Knights' monster on my field, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!" A second copy of Silent Boots appeared on Percival's field beside Ragged Gloves.

The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots ATK: 200 DEF: 1200 LV: 3

The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots ATK: 200 + 200 = 400 DEF: 1200 + 200 = 1400

"Hey, Playmaker. He has two Level 3 monsters." Ai pointed out to him.

"Which can only mean one thing, Ai..." Playmaker replied.

"Appear! The network of shadows!" Percival declared, as he raised his left hand into the air, a galaxy portal appearing in the sky above both duelists. "The summoning conditions are two Level 3 monsters! I overlay the Level 3 The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots and The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves!" Both monsters turned into eerie-blue streams of energy as they entered the portal, where a pillar of light soon erupted from the center.

"Xyz Summon! Souls of knights who fell on the battlefield! Revive here and now, and become the light that breaks the darkness! Rank 3! The Phantom Knights of Break Sword!" A headless armored knight riding an armored, metallic horse with blue eyes was summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone on Percival's field. The knight carried a massive sword in its right hand, and blue eerie-blue flames emitted from where its head should have been, as well as from its shoulders and arms.

The Phantom Knights of Break Sword ATK: 2000 DEF: 1000 RNK: 3 OU: 2

"I activate the effect of Ragged Gloves from my GY!" Percival continued. "Since a Dark Xyz monster was Xyz Summoned using it as an Overlay Unit, it gains 1000 attack points!" A dark aura surrounded both rider and horse, powering both of them up.

The Phantom Knights of Break Sword ATK: 2000 + 1000 = 3000

"I also activate the first and third effects of Deathly Hallows!"

"First and third effects?" Ai repeated. "You mean your Field Spell has three effects?" Playmaker's eyes widened upon hearing that.

"Correct, Dark Ignis." Percival answered Ai. "You both know the first effect. But since I Xyz Summoned a Dark Xyz monster, I can activate Deathly Hallows' third effect! All Dark monsters on my side of the field gain 400 attack points until the end of the turn! And in addition, the first effect of Deathly Hallows gives Break Sword 200 more attack points!"

The Phantom Knights of Break Sword ATK: 3000 + 400 + 200 = 3600 DEF: 1000 + 200 = 1200

"Now I activate Break Sword's effect! By detaching one Overlay Unit, I can target one card on both sides of the field and destroy them!" One of the lights behind Break Sword went into its sword.

The Phantom Knights of Break Sword OU: 2 – 1 = 1

"I target Break Sword and your Powercode Talker! Eerie Charge!" Break Sword and Powercode Talker charged at each other, intent on eliminating the other. Powercode Talker slashed Break Sword using his clawed wire, while Break Sword slashed Powercode Talker using its massive sword, resulting in destruction for both monsters.

"Hey! I hope that was worth it! Because you lost one of your strongest monsters!" Ai said.

"Percival must have something up his sleeve..." Playmaker muttered.

"Huh?"

"Think about it, Ai. There's only one reason why he would destroy his own monster." Playmaker told Ai. "For it's ability."

"That's exactly what I was thinking!" Ai stated.

"No. No you did not." Playmaker replied.

"Fine, you're right." Ai admitted. "I wasn't thinking of that at all."

"You truly are observant, Playmaker." Percival praised him. "No wonder a duelist of your caliber is able to stand against the Hanoi and not falter!" He then thrusted his right hand in front of him. "I activate Break Sword's final effect! Since it was destroyed, I can target two 'The Phantom Knights' monsters in my Graveyard and Special Summon them back to my field! Return, Ragged Gloves and Silent Boots!" At Percival's command, Ragged Gloves and Silent Boots reappeared on his field.

The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves ATK: 1000 DEF: 500 LV: 3

The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots ATK: 200 DEF: 1200 LV: 3

The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves ATK: 1000 + 200 = 1200 DEF: 500 + 200 = 700

The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots ATK: 200 + 200 = 400 DEF: 1200 + 200 = 1400

"In addition, I can increase both my monsters levels by 1!" Percival added.

The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves LV: 3 + 1 = 4

The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots LV: 3 + 1 = 4

"Uh, Playmaker." Ai said. "I think he's about to summon his boss monster!"

"Tch." Playmaker agreed with Ai. Percival had everything set up. For another Xyz Summon.

"Appear, for a second time! The network of shadows!" Percival declared, as he raised his left hand into the air, a galaxy portal appearing in the sky above both duelists. "The summoning conditions are two Level 4 monsters! I overlay the Level 4 The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots and The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves!" Both monsters turned into eerie-blue streams of energy as they entered the portal, where a pillar of light soon erupted from the center.

"Xyz Summon! This dragon is like me, Playmaker. Cloaked in shadows and relentless in his objective, only his objective is to destroy! Rank 4! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!" A purple dragon with a long neck that had a spiked mandible on it, and a long tail with two spikes on both sides flew onto Percival's field in the right Extra Monster Zone and roared at Playmaker. Metallic armor was on Dark Rebellion's arms, wings, and legs. There were also two big purple orbs attached to the beginning of the dragon's wings, as well as smaller purple orbs on the dragon's wings. Dark Rebellion had yellow eyes, and metal spikes that were attached to his mandible and went outward from his head.

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon ATK: 2500 DEF: 2000 RNK: 4 OU: 2

"Once again, Ragged Gloves' effect! Since a Dark Xyz monster was Xyz Summoned using it as an Overlay Unit, it gains 1000 attack points!" A dark aura surrounded Dark Rebellion, powering the dragon up.

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon ATK: 2500 + 1000 = 3500

"The third effect of Deathly Hallows also activates!" Percival continued. "Since I Xyz Summoned a Dark Xyz monster, all Dark monsters on my side of the field gain 400 attack points until the end of the turn!" Dark Rebellion roared once again as he powered up.

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon ATK: 3500 + 400 = 3900

"I activate the second effect of Deathly Hallows! Once per turn, I can target one 'The Phantom Knights' Spell or Trap card in my Graveyard and Set it in my Spell & Trap card zone. However, I cannot activate it this turn!" Using the second effect of Deathly Hallows, Percival targeted The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring in his Graveyard and Set it in his Spell & Trap card zone.

"I Set another card face-down." Percival then turned his duel board to face Playmaker and declared, "Battle! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon attacks you directly! Mauling Mandible Charge!" Dark Rebellion's wings sparked as he turned around and flew toward Playmaker, his tusks glowing in the process. The dragon hit Playmaker with so much force that he was sent flying off his duel board.

Playmaker: 4700 – 3900 = 800 LP

"Yusaku!" Kusanagi said, as he saw Playmaker fall from his duel board. He started typing on the digital keyboard. "Hold on, buddy. I think I got something to help you out."

As Playmaker fell, he noticed he got a notification from Kusanagi. Seeing that it can help him out of the jam, he activated it, teleporting him from where he was right back to his duel board on the data stream. "Thanks for the save, Kusanagi."

"Roxy gave me that program you know," Kusanagi told him. "Why don't you thank her once you meet her in person?"

"I will do that, Kusanagi." Playmaker noted.

"Whew!" Ai said. "At least we're not going splat."

"I end my turn." Percival concluded. "Which means the boost provided from Deathly Hallows ends."

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon ATK: 3900 – 400 = 3500

"You're only at 100 life points, Playmaker," Percival told him, "and on my next turn, this duel is over!"

"You may be right." Playmaker agreed with him. "But we won't know for sure until every card has been played!"

"Say Playmaker." Ai said, getting Playmaker's attention. "I'm curious as to how Raguel and Herald are doing with their trial."

"I haven't thought of that until now, Ai." Playmaker responded. "Let's hope that the both of them are okay."

At Raguel's duel...

"My turn! I draw!" Demeter said, drawing the top card of her deck. Raguel managed to reset the field and Set two cards face-down, she thought. If I play this right, I should be able to defeat him on my next turn. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Burial from a Different Dimension from my hand! This card lets me target up to three banished monsters in my Banished Zone and return them to my Graveyard! I target Simorgh, Bird of Beginning and Simorgh, Bird of Bringing in my Banished Zone with this card's effect!" Soon, the targeted cards reappeared in Demeter's Graveyard.

"Next, I activate the Spell card, Pot of Desires! By banishing ten cards from the top of my deck face-down, I get to draw two cards from the top of my deck!" Raguel and Herald's eyes widened in surprise as the top ten cards of Demeter's deck vanished into yellow particles. She then drew the top two cards of her deck.

"You're willing to banish a quarter of your deck just to draw two cards?" Raguel asked Demeter, who nodded in response.

"Sometimes, to execute a plan, you've got to take a risk." Demeter told him. "But how would you know, when you can't take a risk with your situation?"

"A risk?" Raguel repeated. "You have no idea of the dilemma I'm facing, do you Demeter? NO IDEA AT ALL!"

"On the contrary, I do." Demeter instantly replied. "And I'll show you. I activate the Spell card, Simorgh Repulsion! By discarding a Winged-Beast monster from my hand, I can return all Spell and Trap cards on your field right back to your hand!"

"A card that can return all Spell and Trap cards for a simple discard..." Herald muttered, as Raguel's face-down cards returned to his hand. "This is not good at all, Raguel."

"It definitely isn't." Raguel agreed with Herald. With his Spell and Trap cards gone, he was defenseless!

"I activate the effects of Simorgh, Bird of Beginning, Simorgh, Bird of Bringing, and Simorgh, Bird of Calamity from my Graveyard!" Demeter said. "Since you control no cards in your Spell & Trap card zones, I can Special Summon all three monsters from my Graveyard to my field in defense position! However, they're banished when they leave the field, and I also can only Special Summon Winged-Beast monsters for the rest of the turn. Now, fly back to the field once more!" At her command, the three birds from before reappeared on her field, guarding themselves using their wings.

Simorgh, Bird of Beginning ATK: 0 DEF: 1600 LV: 1

Simorgh, Bird of Bringing ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000 LV: 2

Simorgh, Bird of Calamity ATK: 1500 DEF: 200 LV: 3

"Appear! The circuit of turbulent winds!" A Link Portal appeared above her in the sky. "The summoning conditions are two or more monsters, including a Winged-Beast monster! I'll Set Simorgh, Bird of Beginning, Simorgh, Bird of Bringing, and Simorgh, Bird of Calamity in the Link Markers!" Simorgh, Bird of Beginning went into the bottom-left arrowhead, Simorgh, Bird of Bringing went into the bottom arrowhead, and Simorgh, Bird of Calamity went into the bottom-right arrowhead.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! The majestic bird shall display its sovereignty, and everyone witnessing it will silence themselves in awe! Link 3! Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty!" For a second time, Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty was summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone on Demeter's field.

Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty ATK: 2400 LINK-3 ↙️⬇️↘️

"The effects of Simorgh, Bird of Beginning, Simorgh, Bird of Bringing and Simorgh, Bird of Calamity now activate!" Demeter continued. "As all three left the field, they're banished."

She thrusted out her right hand. "Battle! Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty attacks you directly, Raguel! Blast Storm!" Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty gathered green energy in its mouth before firing it at Raguel, causing him to scream as he fell off the ground and landed on his back.

Raguel: 4000 – 2400 = 1600 LP

Roxy, who got back from the upper floors of Café Matsuo a while ago, covered her mouth with her hands as she saw Raguel get blasted from Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty's attack. "Yuhiro. Can you hear me? Are you there?"

"Yeah, I hear you, Roxy." Raguel responded, causing her to breathe a sigh of relief as he slowly stood up. "Listen, this really isn't a great time right now."

"It's because of what's troubling you, isn't it?" Roxy surmised, catching Raguel off guard. "I heard everything, Yuhiro. Until now, I didn't know just how much Miyu and I meant to you."

"It's the truth." Raguel admitted to Roxy. "It's the reason why I accept jobs on the black market. It's the reason that keeps me going even against impossible odds. And if I give up now-."

"But you won't!" Roxy told him in a firm voice. "You're not giving up, you hear me! Just as you've always done before, you're going to get through this duel and win! And when you come home, we'll talk." She then continued in a kinder voice. "I'm with you to the end of the line, Yuhiro. Never forget that."

"Alright." Raguel smiled to himself. "Thank you, Roxy. For the motivation." He then directed his attention to Demeter. "I'm ready to continue with the duel."

"Very well." Demeter replied. "I end my turn. And just like before, the effect of Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty activates. It lets me Special Summon one Winged Beast monster from my hand or deck, whose level is equal to or less than the total number of unused Spell & Trap card zones on the field." A card popped out of her deck, which she took out. "I Special Summon Simorgh of Darkness from my deck!" A large black-feathered bird with a taller silver crown on its head and a larger silver halo behind it flew onto Demeter's field in one of the Main Monster Zones Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty was pointing to. Just like Dark Simorgh, the bird had a small, black tail, with silver strands extending out of its back. Pieces of silver jewelry were on its chest and neck. Its wings also had silver spikes, as well as purple jewels.

Simorgh of Darkness ATK: 2900 DEF: 2000 LV: 8

"My turn! I draw!" Raguel declared, drawing the top card of his deck.

"Anything good, Raguel?" Herald asked him.

"Something like that." Raguel replied. "I summon Cyreath Witch from my hand!" A sorceress with short purple hair, glowing pink eyes and carrying a staff with a skull on it joined Raguel's field. She wore a raggedy cape and skirt.

Cyreath Witch ATK: 1200 DEF: 0 LV: 4

"Witch's effect! When this card is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon 'Cyreath Skeleton' tokens to my field equal to the number of cards in my hand! Since I have four cards in my hand, I can Special Summon four 'Cyreath Skeleton' tokens to my field!" Witch raised her staff into the air, making the skull on top of it glow purple. Soon, four small skeletons carrying short swords were raised from the dead, appearing on Raguel's field.

Cyreath Skeleton Token ATK: 500 DEF: 500 LV: 1

Cyreath Skeleton Token ATK: 500 DEF: 500 LV: 1

Cyreath Skeleton Token ATK: 500 DEF: 500 LV: 1

Cyreath Skeleton Token ATK: 500 DEF: 500 LV: 1

"Appear! The circuit showing the highest mountain!" A Link Portal appeared above him in the sky. "The summoning conditions are two or more 'Cyreath' monsters! I'll Set Cyreath Witch and the two Cyreath Skeleton tokens in the Link Markers!" Witch went into the top arrowhead, while the Cyreath Skeleton tokens went into the bottom-left and bottom-right arrowheads.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Rise and protect the innocent from evil! Link 3! Cyreath Nemean Lion!" A white lion with a black mane emerged from the Link Portal and roared as it went onto the right Extra Monster Zone on Raguel's field. On the lion's face was a red and gold mask, with purple spiked fins on either side. The lion also wore red and golden armor on its back, underbelly, shoulders, and legs.

Cyreath Nemean Lion ATK: 2500 LINK-3 ↙️⬆️↘️

"I activate the Spell card, Cyreath Ascension!" Raguel continued. "I can target one Link Monster I control and Special Summon 'Cyreath' monsters from my Graveyard to Main Monster Zones that Link Monster points to, in exchange for negating their effects! I target Cyreath Nemean Lion, and using this card, I'll bring back Cyreath Barbarian and Cyreath Icarus!" Barbarian and Icarus returned to Raguel's field in the two Main Monster Zones Nemean Lion was pointing to.

Cyreath Barbarian ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000 LVL: 4

Cyreath Icarus ATK: 1200 DEF: 1100 LVL: 3

"Nemean Lion's effect! When a monster is summoned to a zone it points to, I can target a card you control and shuffle it into your deck! By doing so, my monster gains 300 attack points until the end of my turn!"

"You summoned a monster to each Main Monster Zone Nemean Lion is pointing to, Raguel" Herald pointed out to him.

"That means I can target Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty and Simorgh of Darkness on your field, Demeter!" Raguel told her. "Prideful Roar!" Nemean Lion roared at both birds, but Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty spread out its wings and screeched, creating a translucent green barrier to protect itself and Simorgh of Darkness. As a result, Nemean Lion's strength did not increase.

"What happened?" Raguel demanded. "Why didn't your monsters go back to your deck and Extra Deck?"

"It's because of Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty's effect." Demeter calmly answered. "You cannot target it or any Winged-Beast monsters it points to with card effects. Therefore, your Nemean Lion does not gain attack points because no cards were shuffled into the deck."

"So that's why she summoned her birds back to her field in defense position on the first turn!" Herald realized. "She must have expected us to target her monsters with card effects."

"But we can destroy them through battle." Raguel replied to Herald. Thrusting his right hand to the sky, he said, "Appear, for a second time! The circuit showing the highest mountain!" A second Link Portal appeared in the sky above Raguel. "The summoning conditions are two or more effect monsters! I'll Set Cyreath Nemean Lion, which is a Link 3 monster, and Cyreath Icarus into the Link Markers!" Nemean Lion split into three tornadoes of energy as they entered the left, right, and top arrowheads, while Icarus went into the bottom arrowhead.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! The Embodiment of Truth is given to mankind! Link 4! Turboblaze Dragon!" A white-color bipedal dragon with blue irises and black pupils, as well as a long and slender neck emerged from the Link Portal to the right Extra Monster Zone as he roared upon appearing on Raguel's field. He had a long, voluminous wispy mane streaming out from the upper side of his snout and outwards from his head, with two protrusions resembling ears on the top of the mane. His arms were slender and arm-like with a wing-like appearance and four fingers on his claws. He had a feathered chest, with long feather-like protrusions jutting out of his thighs. On his feet were large grey claws, three at the front and one positioned at the back to resemble high heels. He also had a jet engine-like tail, with two large bands similar to the front and ribbon like extensions.

Turboblaze Dragon ATK: 3000 LINK-4 ⬆️⬇️⬅️➡️

"So you've summoned your strongest monster..." Demeter muttered, as she looked at Turboblaze.

"I activate Turboblaze Dragon's first effect!" Raguel said. "When it's Link Summoned, the effects of all monsters you control are negated! Heat Veil!" The jet engine-like tail that Turboblaze had soon began to charge up.

"Take this!" Turboblaze roared before unleashing waves of volcanic energy at Simorgh of Darkness and Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty, covering them in scorch marks.

"Excellent job, Turboblaze!" Herald cheered.

"Are you ready, Raguel?" Turboblaze asked him.

"Just one more card." Raguel told him. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Link Drain from my hand! I can target one Link Monster you control and reduce its attack points to zero while giving those attack points to a Link Monster I control. However, these changes last until the End Phase. I target Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty, and reduce its attack points to zero so my Turboblaze gains its 2400 attack points!"

"And with Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty's effects negated," Herald added, "there's nothing you can do to stop Link Drain."

"I didn't... expect this," was all Demeter could say, as Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty's strength was transferred to Turboblaze, powering him up.

Turboblaze Dragon ATK: 3000 + 2400 = 5400

Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty ATK: 2400 – 2400 = 0

"Battle!" Raguel declared. "Turboblaze Dragon attacks Simorgh of Darkness! Desolation Flare!" The jet engine-like tail glowed orange with power as Turboblaze flew up into the air and charged up an orb of orange fire. After gathering enough energy, Turboblaze fired it at Simorgh of Darkness, which was consumed by the ball of fire.

"Turboblaze's additional effect! If this card destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard, you take damage equal to the destroyed monsters attack points!"

"And so you say..." Demeter agreed with him, as she was sent flying off the ground and landing on her back, accepting her loss.

Demeter: 4000 – 2500 – 2900 = 0

"Thank you, Turboblaze." Raguel said to the dragon, which turned around and landed to where he was. Turboblaze then lowered his head to Raguel, letting him pet his head before returning to Raguel's deck.

Suddenly, Raguel noticed Demeter's mask on the ground. He went over and picked it up. "Excuse me, Demeter? I believe this belongs to you."

Demeter, who looked at Raguel with kind, motherly-brown eyes, stood up and took the mask before putting it on her face again. "Thank you, Raguel. I didn't realize it fell off as our duel concluded. I do hope I helped you with your situation."

"I think you may have, Demeter." Raguel admitted.

"I'm glad to hear you say that, Raguel." Watchman said, as he exited from an orange gateway. "Does this mean you've finally chosen a path?"

"I think so, Watchman." Raguel answered him. "The right one, too." He gathered his thoughts before continuing. "You know, until today, I never realized I needed that push regarding my conflict. If it weren't for Herald, and Roxy, I don't think I would have been able to acknowledge and address it in the first place."

"Remember that you're not alone in this fight, Raguel." Demeter gently reminded him, as Watchman walked to where she was. "We are all working together towards a common goal, after all."

A genuine smile appeared on Raguel's mouth. "Yeah. I guess I forgot that." He turned his head to Watchman. "Watchman. I have a request I hope you can look into."

"Name it." Watchman replied.

"See if there's a way to wake Miyu up from her coma." Raguel requested. "It would mean a lot not just to Roxy, but to me as well."

"As long as you help me, I will help you." Watchman said.

"Thank you." He then turned away from Watchman and Demeter. "See you two later." He then logged out of Watchman's server.

"Thank you, Demeter." Watchman said to Demeter, who turned her head to face him. "The duel helped him find his true self and grow as a good man."

"I'm happy to help, Watchman." Demeter replied. "But these children. Raguel, Miyu, Playmaker, and the others. They deserve to know the truth, don't they?"

"Once the time is right, I will tell them myself." Watchman answered her. Suddenly, his eyes started glowing orange.

"What is it?" Demeter asked, concerned for Watchman.

"I sense that the duel between Percival and Playmaker is about to come to an end." Watchman replied, as he disappeared into orange particles.

I hope you know what you're doing, Watchman, Demeter thought. Because at some point, we have to tell them what we know about Project VIII. She then logged out of Watchman's server afterwards.

At Playmaker's duel...

"My turn! I draw!" Playmaker declared, drawing the top card of his deck.

"Hey, Playmaker!" Ai said, getting his attention. "There's a Data Storm coming our way! You ready to do this?"

"Yes." Playmaker answered Ai, as he increased his speed on his duel board to enter it, passing Percival in the process. He yelled as he reached into the data stream. Shadows showing various monsters appeared around him as blue energy gathered around him.

In his Duel Disk, Ai's gaze sharpened. "Seize the wind, Playmaker!" Playmaker took his hand out of the data stream, holding a shining card.

"I activate my Skill, Storm Access!" The shadow of a male, humanoid monster wearing futuristic clothing and carrying a diamond-bladed sword appeared and posed. Playmaker then shot out of the tornado and landed right back on the data stream, in front of Percival.

"So you've used your Skill." Percival said. "Let's see if the monster you've got will stand against my Dark Rebellion."

"You're about to find out." Playmaker replied. "I activate the effect of Cyberse Randomizer from my hand! By banishing a Link Monster from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon this card to my field, and if I do, I can place 'Bet' counters on it equal to its Link Rating. I banish Link Restorer from my Graveyard to Special Summon this card from my hand to my field!" A white robot wearing a purple business suit and pants with an actual dice for a head appeared on Playmaker's field.

Cyberse Randomizer ATK: 600 DEF: 600 LV: 6

"And since Honeybot's Link Rating is two, Cyberse Randomizer gains two 'Bet' counters!" Playmaker added, as two sides of Randomizer's head glowed purple.

Cyberse Randomizer BC: 0 + 2 = 2

"I activate the effect of Randomizer! Once per turn, by removing one 'Bet' counter, I can roll a dice, and depending on the result, I get to draw an amount of cards from the top of my deck." One side of Randomizer's head stopped glowing.

Cyberse Randomizer BC: 2 – 1 = 1

"What Playmaker's saying is this." Ai further explained. "If we get a one or two, we can draw one card. If we get a three or four, we can draw two cards. But if we get a five or six, it's a TRIPLE DRAW FOR US BABY!"

"You're risking the rest of your turn on a gamble?" Percival asked Playmaker.

"It may look like I'm taking a risk." Playmaker admitted. "But if my deck can help me defeat Revolver, then it will help me defeat you!"

Percival was surprised by this. When exactly did Playmaker defeat Revolver in a duel? Hearing this gave him hope. That the Hanoi can be stopped.

"Go, Dice Roll!" Playmaker declared, as Randomizer literally picked up its head and threw it into the air, landing on the duel field and rolling in the process.

"Five or Six, please, Five or Six, please..." Ai pleaded.

Randomizer's head then landed on a five, causing Playmaker to smirk at the result.

"Woohoo!" Ai cheered. "It's a triple draw for us, baby!" Playmaker couldn't help but smile at Ai's happiness as he drew the top three cards of his deck.

"I activate the Spell card, Link Reborn! I can target one Link Monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it, but it cannot attack for the rest of this turn! Return to the field, Link Disciple!" The red and black machine from earlier reappeared in the Main Monster Zone on Playmaker's field.

Link Disciple ATK: 500 LINK-1 ⬇️

"Now I summon Cyberse Wizard from my hand!" A young man with green hair in black and white robes appeared, carrying a staff.

Cyberse Wizard ATK: 1800 DEF: 800 LV: 4

"I activate Cyberse Wizard's effect!" Playmaker continued. "Once per turn, I can change one monster on your field from attack to defense position, and if I do this, my monsters cannot attack for the rest of this turn, except to attack the targeted monster. In exchange, however, any Cyberse monster that attacks a defense position monster will be able to inflict piercing battle damage! I change your Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon to defense position! Cyberse Algorithm!" Cyberse Wizard pointed his staff at Dark Rebellion, which glowed blue as a blast of energy came out of it, causing the dragon to change positions.

"What? Why would you do that?" Ai asked Playmaker.

"So I can do this." Playmaker replied. He then thrusted out his right hand in front of him as he said, "Now I shall create my ultimate circuit for the final time!" A Link Portal appeared ahead of him. "The summoning conditions are two or more monsters! I'll Set Cyberse Wizard, Cyberse Randomizer, and Link Disciple, which is a Link 1 monster into the Link Markers!" Cyberse Wizard went into the bottom arrowhead, Cyberse Randomizer went into the left arrowhead, and Link Disciple went into the right arrowhead.

"Circuit combine! Link Summon! Technology and magic join forces to bring out the ultimate warrior! Link 3! Cyberse Enchanter!" The young man with green hair from before returned to Playmaker's field, only this time, he was summoned to the right Extra Monster Zone. His black and white robes were now updated with technological elements, which was evident by the blue lines that were all over it. Cyberse Enchanter swung his diamond-bladed sword, ready for battle.

Cyberse Enchanter ATK: 2400 LINK-3 ⬅️⬇️➡️

"So that's the monster you got from the Data Storm..." Percival muttered.

"I activate Cyberse Enchanter's first effect!" Playmaker said. "Since Cyberse Enchanter was Link Summoned using Cyberse Wizard, I can target one monster you control and change its battle position. By doing so, its effects are negated until the End Phase! I target Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon! Cyberse Rewrite!" Three rings of energy appeared around Cyberse Enchanter's right arm as he fired a blast of energy from it, causing the dragon to change positions once again as his effects were negated.

"I also activate the Equip Spell card, Hack Sword!" The card showed Cyberse White Hat holding a long, blue diamond-bladed sword, as different codes appeared on it. "When a Cyberse monster equipped with this card attacks a monster you control, it gains attack points equal to that monster's attack points until the End Phase."

"What?" Percival said in surprise, as Cyberse Enchanter grabbed a long, blue diamond bladed sword using his left hand.

"Battle!" Playmaker declared. "Cyberse Enchanter attacks Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon! At this point, Hack Sword's effect activates. When a Cyberse monster equipped with this card attacks a monster you control, it gains attack points equal to that monster's attack points until the End Phase!" A technological aura surrounded Cyberse Enchanter as he powered up.

Cyberse Enchanter ATK: 2400 + 3500 = 5900

"Dual Synch Slash!" Cyberse Enchanter charged forward, with his own sword and Hack Sword in each hand, intent on defeating Dark Rebellion. However...

"I activate my face-down Trap card, The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring!" Percival interjected. "When this card is activated, I can not only negate the attack, but can also Special Summon this card to my field as an effect monster in attack position!"

"I'm afraid it won't work, pal." Ai stated.

"And why's that?"

"It's because you forgot about Hack Sword's second effect." Playmaker calmly responded to Percival. "Once per turn, if Hack Sword is equipped to a Cyberse Link monster and you activate a Spell or Trap card during the Battle Phase, I can negate the activation and destroy it!"

"Your Hack Sword can do that?" Percival said, shocked that Playmaker was able to negate his Trap card once again.

"It definitely can!" Ai said.

"Go, Hack Degrade!" Playmaker declared, as Cyberse Enchanter fired a blast of energy from Hack Sword, negating and destroying The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring.

"You may win this duel, Playmaker," Percival said, "but you won't destroy my Dark Rebellion." He gestured to his field. "I activate my second face-down Trap card, Phantom Knights' Wing! I can target one monster on the field and increase its attack points by 500! Also, the first time it would be destroyed by battle or card effect this turn, it's not destroyed! I target Dark Rebellion!" Dark Rebellion's wings glowed in purple fire as he powered up.

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon ATK: 3500 + 500 = 4000

"Resume your attack, Cyberse Enchanter!" Playmaker said. "Dual Synch Slash!"

"Respond in kind, Dark Rebellion!" Percival said. "Mauling Mandible Charge!"

Both monsters charged at each other in full force. Once Cyberse Enchanter's sword and Hack Sword met Dark Rebellion's glowing tusks, the clash released a blast of energy towards Percival, causing him to fall off his duel board as his life points dropped zero. Dark Rebellion was also pushed back by the impact.

Percival: 1700 – 1900 = 0

Dark Rebellion, upon seeing Percival fall, swooped down, saving him as he landed on the dragon's back.

"This way, Playmaker." Percival told him, as he flew forward with Dark Rebellion. Playmaker increased the speed on his duel board to keep up.

Within a minute, Playmaker jumped on top of a large flying platform, Percival and Dark Rebellion landing on it moments later.

"You have impressed me, Playmaker." Percival said to him. "The fact you were able to surpass me in a duel clearly proves you are ready for what's to come."

"I've defeated you in a duel." Playmaker said. "Now take me to Watchman!"

"There's no need." Watchman said, as he appeared from behind Playmaker, an orange gateway disappearing behind him in the process. "For I am here." Percival then walked over to Watchman's side, as Dark Rebellion disappeared and returned to his deck.

"You!" Playmaker said, turning around to face Watchman. "I've passed your trial. Now get ready. Because I'm dueling you right now!"

"Playmaker, we already dueled enough as it is today!" Ai said, trying to calm Playmaker down.

"Your Ignis is right, Playmaker." Watchman stated. "There's no point in dueling you anymore as it is."

"What are you talking about?" Playmaker demanded.

"You forgot already?" Watchman said, putting a hand to his face for a brief moment. "I brought you here so I can prepare for the Crisis, as well as help you know your true self."

"My true self?" Playmaker repeated. Suddenly, it made sense to him now. The questions Percival asked him during their duel. It all related to his true self! He closed his eyes. "If I'm being honest, Watchman, I haven't thought about who I really am, other than the reason I fight. And until I defeat the Hanoi, I don't think I'll ever be able to move on." He then reopened them. "But know that I don't just fight for myself. I fight for a friend's brother, who's been traumatized by the Lost Incident, and for everyone else who was there as well."

A friend's brother, Percival thought. No. It can't be. Did Playmaker know-?

"I see." Watchman said. "But surely the duel has impacted you in some way, correct?"

"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't true." Playmaker responded. "But I'll only be able to answer those questions myself once the Hanoi is defeated."

"Very well, then." An orange card generated in Watchman's palm before he threw it at Playmaker, who caught it.

"What's this?" Playmaker asked.

"Consider it your reward. With a condition." Watchman answered. "Defeat Revolver and the Hanoi, just as you promised you would. Then, if you're still not satisfied, use that card to find me, and we will duel for the answers you seek."

"Alright." Playmaker nodded. He was about to turn around and log out when Watchman spoke up.

"Project VIII."

Playmaker blinked. "Huh? What's that?"

"I'll let you find that out for yourself." Watchman said, as he snapped his fingers, logging Playmaker out of his server.

"Playmaker knows him." Percival said, turning his head to face Watchman.

"I know." Watchman responded, surprising Percival.

"You knew this, and you didn't tell me?" Percival demanded. "I will approach Playmaker and his ally in the real world, and-."

"You will do no such thing, Percival." Watchman warned him. "The three of us must continue to operate discreetly if we are to stop not just the Hanoi, but the Crisis as well. If you continue with your rash action, you'll blow our cover." He put a hand on Percival's shoulder. "I ask that you wait a little longer. Then you'll have the opportunity to do so. Ok?"

Percival sighed. "Alright. But just assure me that you're keeping up with your end of the offer."

Watchman nodded, causing Percival to breathe in relief. The knight then logged out of Watchman's server afterwards.

Raguel and Playmaker, Watchman thought, as he looked up at the stars, you are both intriguing. He smirked. I look forward to our next discussion.

At Café Nagi...

An exhausted Yusaku leaned against from the wall. He didn't expect his Speed Duel against Percival to drain so much energy, but it did.

"That was too close!" Ai said. "If it weren't for Cyberse Enchanter, we would have lost. I think we should update our skills if we're gonna stand against Revolver and the remaining Hanoi."

"For once, you make a good point, Ai." Yusaku said, before opening the door.

"Yusaku!" Kusanagi said, his relief evident as he ran to where Yusaku was and caught him from falling. "I'm glad you're okay, buddy." The two of them then headed to the back of Café Nagi, where the digital keyboard and monitors were. Once the two of them sat in their respective seats, Yusaku spoke.

"Kusanagi, I need to know your thoughts on-."

"Percival and Watchman formerly being a part of the Hanoi Project?" Kusanagi finished. "I gotta say. The fact they actually want to repent surprises even me."

"It's not just them, you know!" Ai stated, appearing out of Yusaku's Duel Disk. "I bet the opponent Raguel and Herald faced was also formerly with the Hanoi as well!"

"If that were the case, Ai," Yusaku replied, "then Furutani would have contacted us about it." He turned back to Kusanagi. "For now, we should focus on Watchman and Percival, as they're the only two new leads we have."

"Yeah, about that." Kusanagi started typing on the digital keyboard. "I couldn't find anything else other than their identities online. Just like with the Hanoi. But the fact this Watchman knows your LINK VRAINS and real life identities is disturbing."

"I don't think he'll give our identities away, Kusanagi." Yusaku said.

"Why do you think that?"

"If he were with the Hanoi, he would have told them immediately about our identities. But the fact he's working against them alongside Percival and another ally proves that he can be trusted. For now." Yusaku answered Kusanagi. He then pressed a button on his Duel Disk, which popped out an orange card. "Besides, if we're wrong, I can use this locator card to find and duel him for the truth." As Yusaku looked at the orange card, he fell silent.

"Something on your mind, buddy?" Kusanagi asked him.

"There are three things on my mind, actually." Yusaku told Kusanagi, turning to face him. He held up one finger. "One: The 'Crisis' Watchman kept talking about. He had Raguel and I duel his allies to prepare for it. Do you think there's something worse than the Hanoi out there, Kusanagi?"

Kusanagi put a hand to his chin and pondered the question for a minute. "In my opinion, I don't think there are any worse enemies than the Hanoi right now. But it doesn't hurt to be prepared."

"That's what I said to Yusaku!" Ai interjected.

Yusaku ignored Ai and held up a second finger. "Two: Project VIII. After defeating Percival in a duel, Watchman told me that there was a project called Project VIII before logging me out of his server. What exactly is it? And is it related to the Lost Incident in any way?"

"Let me see." Kusanagi typed something on the digital keyboard. Soon, an article popped up on the monitor. "Nothing much unfortunately, Yusaku. Other than that it was a top secret project. That's at least what the FBI told the reporters."

"The FBI?" Yusaku repeated. "Why would the FBI be involved with Project VIII?"

"Not sure." Kusanagi answered. "But the Hanoi may know something about Project VIII too."

"Once we kick their asses, that is." Ai pointed out.

Yusaku held up a third finger. "Three: My duel with Percival. During the duel, he asked me questions on what I'll do with my life once the Hanoi faces justice for what they've done."

"And?"

"I didn't answer. Because at the time, I couldn't." Yusaku replied. A look of dread was registered on his face. "I'm scared, Kusanagi. What if, after we accomplish our goal, I can't find a new purpose?"

Kusanagi turned his chair to look at Yusaku, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey. Don't let that get you down. Once we defeat the Hanoi, and we will, you and Jin, as well as Furutani and the others, will get peace. You will find it, Yusaku. Trust me."

Yusaku nodded. "Thanks, Kusanagi."

"After all, anything can happen in the future." Kusanagi started laughing. "Who knows? You might start going out with Aoi Zaizen when all this is over!"

"WHAT?" Ai exclaimed. He then scratched his head as he looked at Yusaku, who had an oblivious look on his face. "This guy and Aoi Zaizen? As a couple?" Ai then started laughing. "That will NEVER HAPPEN! NEVER EVER EVER!"

Yusaku still couldn't respond, as he was still completely oblivious to the topic at hand. How does dating relate in any way to my future, he wondered, as Ai and Kusanagi continued to laugh.

At Café Matsuo's backroom...

Yuhiro, who was tired from the duel, and today in general, was forced to go on one knee as the door to the closed-off space opened.

"I gotta say, Roxy." Yuhiro said, as he stood up and walked to the backroom. "If it weren't for you and Herald-." But he stopped talking when he noticed Roxy wasn't there. "Roxy?" He went over to the digital keyboard, which had a note on it.

"It appears there's a note." Herald observed, as Yuhiro picked it up. The note read:

Yuhiro,

Come to the kitchen. We need to talk. And congrats for winning.

-R.

"You sure you're ready to talk with Roxy about what's going on?" Herald asked him. Yuhiro nodded.

"Yeah. It's time I did." Yuhiro confirmed, as he left the backroom and headed upstairs to the kitchen part of the second floor. Roxy was there when he arrived, sitting on a chair opposite to him.

"Have a seat, buster," she said, gesturing him to sit down. Yuhiro did so, knowing he didn't want to make her wait any longer. Roxy then continued talking. "I know you've been through a lot today considering that duel, so I'll make this quick. Why didn't you tell me about what was troubling you sooner?"

"I didn't tell you earlier because... because I was scared." Yuhiro answered, catching his breath, as it took a bit more strength than usual to get that last word out. "All these years, I did my work on the black market to not only support Miyu, but to repay you back for all the kindness you showed me. I didn't want to tell you I wanted to stop because if I did, I... would feel... that I failed... both you and Miyu." He started to feel fresh tears come out of his eyes. Was it because it was difficult for him to tell the truth?

"Thank you for telling me this, Yuhiro. For being honest with me." Roxy said. "Now it's time for me to be honest with you." She took out a small bag beside her and pulled something out. It was a small, thin wooden box. "You remember how I told you I had a killer deck?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, before I adopted you, I worked as a duelist on the black market part-time." Roxy then opened the small, thin wooden box, revealing a deck. "On LINK VRAINS at the time, I was known as Angelica."

"Angelica?" Yuhiro repeated. "You mean the Angelica? The same one who plundered 38,390,000 yen from the Scarclust clan?" Roxy nodded with a mischievous smirk on her face, confirming his suspicions and astounding him. Several times Monty had told Yuhiro about Angelica, and how one day he may be her equal due to his success rate. Never did Yuhiro think that Roxy was Angelica.

"My deck was a pain in the ass for anyone who stood in my way, especially when pirates were involved." Roxy stated, closing the small, thin wooden box. "However, that day, when I learned about the promise you made to Miyu at the hospital, I had a feeling that you wanted to do whatever it took to help her."

"And that led to my first assignment on the black market." Yuhiro finished. He then realized something. "Wait a minute. How do you know about the promise I made to Miyu three years ago? That was private!" Yuhiro's face turned red within moments.

"Um, cameras?" Roxy sheepishly said. "Remember, I am a skilled hacker, as well as a killer duelist." She stood up from her seat and walked to where Yuhiro was. "My point is, you have to remember we're a badass team. You're not alone in this fight. And together, we will get Miyu back."

Yuhiro smiled. He was then suddenly surprised by Roxy hugging him, like a mother would.

"You will be alright. There, there." Roxy said, as she patted his head.

"Heh. Thanks," Yuhiro said, squirming his way out of Roxy's hug. "You know, I have to ask. Is there anything going on between you and Kusanagi?"

Roxy's response to this was to laugh out loud. "Anything going on? No, Yuhiro. We just exchanged phone numbers, that's all. If anything, we're friends."

"Friends with a lot in common." Yuhiro clarified.

"Do you want me to tease you about Miyu being your future girlfriend one day?"

Yuhiro's face once again turned red as the question made him think about Miyu holding his arm and leaning her head on his shoulder, the two of them enjoying their time with each other. He did not want to think about that right now. "No, please."

"Then don't tease me about my friendship with Kusanagi." Roxy said firmly.

"Deal."

"Say, Roxy." Herald said, emerging out of Yuhiro's Duel Disk. "I didn't know you were a part-time duelist on the black market. Could you tell me more about it?"

"Sure thing, Herald." Roxy replied. "And while we're at it, we can talk about what happened in Watchman's server over take-out. What do you say?"

"If it's pizza, then I'm in!" Yuhiro said, as Roxy left to make the order. Progleo then jumped out of Yuhiro's Duel Disk and onto the table.

"What's pizza?" the cub asked, curious about this new meal Roxy was placing an order for.

"You, my little friend," Yuhiro said, rubbing Progleo's fur, "are about to find out."

At Uchida Industries...

"You're calling it a night, Mr. Uchida?" a young woman with curly, blond hair asked him, as he walked to the front desk of the first floor, carrying a box.

"Somewhat." Emon answered. "I need to look over the properties of the Dascium metal at home to see how it can be applied to the new construction project. As well as send results to the team."

"Well, I'm sure you'll figure it out, sir," the woman affirmed.

"Thank you, Gracie." Emon said, as he headed for the exit to his car.

Once he got to his car, he started it up and drove away from the parking lot to home. Along the way, he received a phone call. He responded to it by pressing the green phone button.

"Yes?"

"I take it you got everything you need?" a scrambled voice asked.

"I have everything in the trunk." Emon confirmed. "I will see you in the network."

"Understood." The call then abruptly ended.

Once Emon arrived back home, he took the box from the trunk and headed to the front steps of his house. There, he unlocked the door and entered.

"Hello, Mr. Uchida," a tall, butler robot on wheels greeted him. "Shall I-?"

"No need." Emon told the robot. "I have some important business to take care of." He then headed upstairs, carrying the box.

When he went into his room, Emon put the box on the table before pulling out three things: A cache of Dascium metal, his Duel Disk, and blueprints. He scanned the blueprints and Dascium metal into his Duel Disk before putting it on.

After closing the door to his bedroom, he lied down on his bed and put on his Duel Disk. Emon then put his deck into his Duel Disk and said, "Deck Set! Into the VRAINS!"

At the Hanoi Stronghold...

Infearno materialized into the Hanoi Stronghold. At the center, he saw Revolver, kneeling down in front of the coffin Dancho was lying in.

"So it is true." Infearno said, getting Revolver's attention. "Dancho lost his duel against Raguel."

"He will be avenged." Revolver angrily promised, as he stood up. "As well as Faust, Baira, and Dr. Genome."

"And that is something we will do." Infearno promised, as he walked over to Revolver. "After all, Dancho was like a grandfather to you. He trained you. Loved you like you were his son. And he was there for you when your parents split."

Revolver made a fist with his right hand, growling at the mention of the memory. If it weren't for the creation of the Ignis, he would still have his mother in his life.

"I thought we agreed not to talk about that, Infearno," the voice of Dr. Kogami said, getting both Revolver and Infearno's attention, as he materialized to where they were. "Or should I talk about what happened to your wife?"

Infearno's face turned pale. "Forgive me, Dr. Kogami." He bowed low in front of him. "I never intended to bring it up. All I wanted was to console your son for his loss."

Dr. Kogami was about to say something, but Revolver beat him to it.

"Don't worry about it, Infearno." Revolver told him. "We should get to the subject at hand now that you're back from probation."

"Agreed." Dr. Kogami added. "Infearno, did you bring what I requested?"

"Yes." A monitor then appeared in front of the three, as Infearno pressed a few buttons on his Duel Disk. On the monitor were blueprints, which showed a massive data construct with several purple tendrils, as well as six massive grey rings. "What do you think?"

"I think it's excellent." Dr. Kogami approved. "Once again, you've demonstrated your brilliance, Infearno."

"Yes." Revolver agreed with Dr. Kogami, smiling. "This data construct will be the beginning of the end for the Ignis."

A hologram then emerged from Infearno's Duel Disk, showing the Dascium metal. "The Dascium metal will reinforce the construct and let it handle enormous amounts of energy" he explained. "However, in order to power the construct itself and turn it on, we'll need a power source."

"Leave that to me." Revolver said, a grin on his face. "I'll get the energy required."

Dr. Kogami nodded, his hand on his chin. "Is there anything else required?"

"Nothing else but time to prepare it." Infearno answered. "As we're outnumbered, I'll be on the lookout for anyone who could help us."

"Very well." Dr. Kogami looked at the construct. "I think there's one more thing it needs."

"What else would it need, father?" Revolver asked Dr. Kogami, turning to face him.

"A name." Dr. Kogami clarified. "How about 'The Tower of Hanoi'?"

At an apartment in Den City...

A young man logged out of LINK VRAINS as the blue sphere around his body disappeared. He stood up and turned the lights on in his room. As he headed over to the nearby desk, he caught sight of himself in the mirror closet. He was wearing a blue hoodie with black cargo pants. The man also had medium-length black hair as well. His dark-grey eyes looked away from the mirror as he continued walking to the nearby desk.

On the desk was a picture of two boys, smiling at a park. One boy had dark, purple hair, and wore a dark, blue shirt. The younger boy had light, purple hair, and wore a light, blue shirt.

Jin, Shoichi... the man thought, picking up the picture and looking at it. One day, I will set this right.

Card Gallery

Cyberse Randomizer (LV: 6/Cyberse/Dark/ATK: 600/DEF: 600)

Effect: You can banish 1 Link Monster from your GY; Special Summon this card from your hand, and if you do, place 'Bet' counters equal to its Link Rating. Once per turn: You can remove 1 'Bet' counter, and if you do, roll a dice, then apply one of the following effects:

1 or 2: Draw 1 card.

3 or 4: Draw 2 cards.

5 or 6: Draw 3 cards.

The Phantom Knights of Deathly Hallows (Field Spell Card)

Effect: All 'The Phantom Knights' monsters you control gain 200 ATK and DEF. Once per turn: You can target 1 'The Phantom Knights' Spell or Trap Card in your GY; Set it in your Spell and Trap Card zone, but it cannot be activated this turn. If you XYZ summon a DARK XYZ monster: All DARK monsters you control gain 400 ATK and DEF until the end of the turn.

Elixir of the Gods (Normal Spell card)

Effect: Tribute 1 'Cyreath' monster you control; draw two cards. You cannot attack with monsters you control the turn you activate this card.

Hack Sword (Equip Spell card)

Effect: Equip only to a Cyberse monster. If the equipped monster attacks a monster your opponent controls, it gains ATK equal to that opponent's monsters ATK until the End Phase. If this card is equipped to a Cyberse Link Monster, it gains the following effect:

Once per turn, during the Battle Phase, when your opponent activates a Spell or Trap card: You can negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it.

Link Restorer (LR: 2/Cyberse/Dark/ATK: 1000/⬅️➡️)

Effect: 2 Cyberse monsters. During either player's turn, when this card leaves the field: You gain 1000 LP. Once per turn: You can banish this card from your GY; add 1 Cyberse monster from your GY to your hand.

QOTC

Between Percival and Demeter, who do you think is stronger? And do you think the two of them could stand against the other antagonists of VRAINS if they unleashed their full power?

Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Obscured Truth. Chapter 20: Duel Charisma Festival. To celebrate the end of the 'Another' threat against LINK VRAINS, SOL Technologies hosts two special duels between four Charisma Duelists. With everything back to normal for now, Yuhiro and Roxy decide to take a break and hang out with Yusaku and Kusanagi to watch the duels. However, during those duels, something occurs that catches both Yuhiro's and Yusaku's attention...

Responses to Reviews and Author's Notes

Thank you to ZarcEternal, ZeroMK7, HunterHQ, Unnamed, Guest, Electriuser, Anonymous, E.T. 2000, yuman28, and Guest for reviewing Chapter 18 of Obscured Truth.

Okay, this was an action packed chapter, and a nice way to conclude the 'Another' arc. I do hope you all enjoy reading it, just as much as I enjoyed writing it!

A couple of things to discuss: The main thing that happened this chapter were Playmaker and Raguel's duels against Watchman's allies.

Playmaker's duel was a Speed Duel against Percival, who uses a Phantom Knights deck. His VRAINS design isbased off of Lancelot from Fate/Zero, while his real-life design is based off of Kariya Matou from Fate/Zero. Thanks to Cyberse Enchanter, Playmaker defeated Percival in the end, while learning about Project VIII from Watchman in the process.

Raguel's duel was a Master Duel against Demeter, who uses a Simorgh deck. Her VRAINS appearance is based off of Oberus from Bakugan, one of the six guardians of Vestroia. Her personality is based off of Harvey Scherazard, or Schera from Sen no Kiseki (or Trails in the Sky for those who aren't familiar with it). With encouragement from Roxy (and some help from Herald), Raguel was able to win thanks to Turboblaze Dragon. In addition, he was finally able to resolve the conflict within his heart in the process.

We also learn something new about Roxy: Before adopting Yuhiro, she worked as a part-time duelist on the black market. Her VRAINS ID name is Angelica, from Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and her deck is the Plunder Patroll deck. Were you surprised by this revelation?

Lastly, there were two post-credit scenes. I won't summarize them down here, but I encourage you to come up with your own theories as to what those post-credit scenes mean for the rest of the story.

Now for some announcements. First, starting next chapter, I'll be answering reviews at the start of every chapter. This way, I'll be able to answer any burning questions you have before reading the newest chapter.

Second, the Profile Page. Profiles will begin once this chapter is uploaded, which means there might be a small delay for Chapter 20, as I have to catch up to said chapter. And just to remind you of the format: It will be in the form of small recap chapters, with the profiles of each duelist. The recap episodes, although they will be in a separate story, will occur in between chapters, which will contain the profiles of each duelist. The first profile page will therefore occur after Chapter 1, and it will cover Yuhiro and the Knight of Hanoi he dueled. Let me know if you have questions.

Third. I thought about it, and decided that I wanted to show you all my gratitude for waiting with the opening of a contest. That's right, I said contest! Lately, I'm having a bit of trouble creating cards for characters in the story. That is why I'm turning to you. Here's how it works: You can create a card for any character in the story, not just Yuhiro. Monsters, Spells, Traps, whatever you want. However, the card you make must not be inappropriate, nor can it be Insta-kill, as Herald pointed out in the previous chapter. Each person can submit up to three cards, and you can submit them through a PM or through the review. You must also put down a number, so I know who to message regarding winners (two winners will be chosen, just like before). As for how long you have, I think until Chapter 20 is released will do.

Anyway, onto reviews:

ZarcEternal: Thank you very much on what you said regarding Cyreath Counter-Shuffle. I fixed the error the best I could. Also, I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter.

ZeroMK7: Thank you very much. I didn't get your DM though on your Tenyi vs Red-Eyes match.

HunterHQ: Don't worry. I resolved the error. And I hope this chapter answered your question regarding Yua Kogami. Unfortunately for poor Dancho, he fell so low that he believed the sacrifices were for the greater good. Oh, and rest assured. Herald and Ai are actually going to interact with each other next chapter.

Unnamed: Glad you found Piercing to be a surprise.

Guest: I included that reference on purpose.

Electriuser: Glad you liked the chapter. Dancho joined the Hanoi because of him spending time with Revolver as a boy. He also joined because Dr. Kogami gave him a purpose after he lost his previous one.

Anonymous: I'll consider those ideas.

E.T. 2000: Project VIII will be explored more in Season 2, and will have a major part.

Yuman28: Dancho isn't dead. Rather, he's in a coma along with Baira, Faust, and Dr. Genome.

Guest: I don't mind the constructive criticism. And rest assured, my friend. The story will be different from the others.

As always, let me know what you thought about this chapter in your reviews below. Did you enjoy the duels in this chapter? Were you surprised by Roxy once being a duelist on the black-market? And how do the post-credit scenes affect the rest of the story?

Put your thoughts down, as next time, I'll see you not only on the next chapter, but on the first Profile Page as well!